Brothers from Russia report an escalation of police violence against Jehovah’s Witnesses

[Bible Speaks]

NOTICE LAST MINUTE.
Brothers from Russia report an escalation of police violence against Jehovah’s Witnesses 
(online translation but can be understood)

Massive searches and criminal cases against believers in Kemerovo and Belgorod - in reference to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation
At least 16 houses of civilians in Belgorod and 12 houses in Kemerovo were subjected to intrusions and searches of law enforcement agencies. Dozens of people were arrested, some remain in custody for two days. It is suspected that citizens continue the activities of the organization "Center for management of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia". Therefore, this criminal prosecution is a direct consequence of the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of April 20, 2017 to recognize this organization as "extremist".

On the night of 7 February 2018 in Belgorod, large groups of law enforcement officers, composed of police officers, the Investigation Department of the Ministry of the Interior and the armed fighters of the SOBR, simultaneously invaded several private houses of local residents. . In some cases, the citizens were thrown to the ground, placed against the wall, then all were taken by force to the police, in the houses they registered. A group of deaf people were also taken to the police, who met for friendly communication. In total, the police department on the street. Prince Trubetskoi, 60, was handed over to dozens of people. In the management of citizens, the passport data, the fingerprints, the downloaded citations are collected. The last one left at 9 in the morning of the following day.

In Kemerovo, on January 23, 2018, fanatics were searched in the homes of civilians. The case, instituted on January 19, 2018 in part 2 of art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, is carried out by the investigator of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for especially important cases, Colonel Justice Oksana Rybalkina. She asked the court to make records in the homes of citizens, arguing that, according to her, at least 14 local residents continue to profess the religion of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The judge of the central district court of the city of Kemerovo, Irina Ivanova, at one time satisfied at least 12 of his motions. As a result, a search was carried out in 12 houses of peaceful believers, which continued even during the night. In some cases, SOBR officers armed with masks opened their doors by force, burst in and placed the civilians against the wall with their arms raised or falling to the ground. Sometimes, the apartment was invaded by more than 10 people, including police officers, Rosgvardia and the Investigation Committee. Citizens were denied the opportunity to make a phone call or to invite a lawyer; the refusal was accompanied by an explanation by Stanislav Shlagov, a high-ranking police officer in particularly important cases: "We are not in the United States." Citizens, including women and the elderly, experience a state close to shock. Many have aggravated chronic diseases. Telephones, tablets, computers, personal belongings and information media are confiscated. It is reported that the witnesses who were present during the searches were familiar with the police and actively helped them, in some cases with their advice.

 Supreme Court, which prohibits the activities of a religious organization "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia", will not be removed the constitutional right faithful to practice their religion freely. However, Judge Ivanov, for example, by allowing searches of investigative conduct Rybalkina did not bring any evidence that they are citizens continue to participate in the activities of the organization liquidated by a court, and not only to exercise their inalienable constitutional right to the freedom of religion. In the Kemerovo Regional Court, 11 appeals have already been filed against judicial decisions to authorize the production of records.

It is noteworthy that the Russian Ministry of Justice, who asked about the liquidation of the legal person of Jehovah's Witnesses, insists that the constitutional rights of believers their claim could not be affected.

https://jw-russia.org/news/18020917-286.html