The Jehovah’s Witnesses have been classified an extremist organization.
This is the position of Russia, where its Justice Ministry has filed a request with the nation’s supreme court for the classification, potentially endangering the 175,000 members in the country.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, with history of over 140 years worldwide, first filed to be a recognised religion, a requirement in Russia, in 1991. They were granted renewal in 1999, according to the group’s international website.
Despite the official recognition, Jehovah’s Witness groups have faced periodic harassment by law enforcement at the local level.
The Justice filing was released Thursday but is not dated and has not been scheduled for legal action, USA Today reported.
It was confirmed by RAPSI, the Russian Legal Information Agency.
Russian officials raided the group’s national headquarters in February and confiscated a reported 70,000 documents that were turned over to the Russian General Prosecutor’s office.
Local prosecutors have likened the religion to a cult and have called it a danger to Russian families.
This is the position of Russia, where its Justice Ministry has filed a request with the nation’s supreme court for the classification, potentially endangering the 175,000 members in the country.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, with history of over 140 years worldwide, first filed to be a recognised religion, a requirement in Russia, in 1991. They were granted renewal in 1999, according to the group’s international website.
Despite the official recognition, Jehovah’s Witness groups have faced periodic harassment by law enforcement at the local level.
The Justice filing was released Thursday but is not dated and has not been scheduled for legal action, USA Today reported.
It was confirmed by RAPSI, the Russian Legal Information Agency.
Russian officials raided the group’s national headquarters in February and confiscated a reported 70,000 documents that were turned over to the Russian General Prosecutor’s office.
Local prosecutors have likened the religion to a cult and have called it a danger to Russian families.
