Thursday, August 17, 2017

Russia Bans Jehovah's Witnesses as 'Extremist'


THE TELEGRAPH: Russia has banned Jehovah's Witnesses as an extremist organisation, placing the pacifist sect in the company of neo-Nazi and jihadi groups.

The justice ministry added the Jehovah's Witnesses administrative centre in Russia and 395 local branches to its register of banned organisations on Thursday.

Criminal charges can now be brought against believers for activities such as proselytizing or simply gathering together.

The move was based on an April supreme court decision that declared Jehovah's Witnesses an extremist organisation and ordered its property to be turned over to the state. » | Alec Luhn, Moscow | Thursday, August 17, 2017