The decision was made by the Samara court

The Sovetsky District Court of Samara decided to expel American Pastor James Francis Mulcahy from Russia for violating immigration rules, as reported by his lawyer, Karina Harutyunyan to Interfax.

She stated that he is charged with violating Part 2 of Article 18.8 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, (violation by a foreign citizen or a stateless person of the rules of entry to the Russian Federation or of the residence (domicile) policies of the Russian Federation).

The lawyer specified that according to immigration enforcement officers, he was engaged in missionary activities and thus violated the Federal law №115 “On legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.”

"He must leave Russia within five days. Moreover, Mulcahy was fined 2,000 rubles (31 dollars),” the statement reads.

Harutyunyan explained that she considers the decision on deportation unreasonable and intended to file an appeal on Monday, 11 July.

As was reported by an enforcement agency source, the U.S. citizen came to Samara to marry a same-sex couple. He said that someone complained about him to the local police, who came and checked the documents and was met with outrage and indignation; however, Harutyunyan states that such a statement is "absolutely not true."

“No lectures, no weddings — that’s not expected,” she said.

According to her, he came to Samara to meet with his friends, "the pastor talked about the history of Religions, culture - it was a usual conversation, that’s all," the lawyer stated.

She also added that according to Mulcahy, when he was detained he was not explained his rights to protection and not to incriminate himself.

Earlier, Russia deported two U.S. diplomats in response to Washington deporting two Russian diplomats.

  Russia

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