The Ministry of justice seeks Supreme court about the ban in Russia, the religious organization “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. The lawsuit was filed by results of checks revealed violations of anti-extremist legislation, reports “Interfax” with reference to the press service of the Ministry of justice.
The Department argued that the activities of the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” is carried out with violations of their stated “goals”. The audit was conducted from 8 to 27 February 2017. In the Supreme court, the Agency said that the date of consideration of the claim is not appointed yet.
The representatives of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” stated that he had not received notification from the court and noted that the said petition will entail “disastrous consequences for religious freedom in Russia.” In their statement on the website notes that this decision will affect 400 registered centers and over 175 thousand followers.
Previously, the Supreme court declared illegal the activities of several regional branches of the organization, particularly in the eagle and Belgorod. The Moscow community “Witnesses iegovy” has been closed by the court in 2004. In 2014 the organization’s website was named as extremist.
“Witnesses iegovy” — the international religious movement Protestant, with more than seven million members. The headquarters of the organization is in new York. Her followers are charged with the destruction of the family institution and the refusal to serve in the army.