SMOLENSK: TWO WOMEN SENT TO JAIL FOR THEIR FAITH
Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 15 October 2018
On 9 October, Judge Liudmila Kuzub of the Lenin district court of the city of Smolensk placed Maria Trishina and Natalia Sorokina, who live in the city of Sychevk (Smolensk oblast), behind bars. The women are accused of professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. According to the judge's ruling, the women must stay in a Smolensk SIZO at least until 19 November 2018.
Maria Troshina and Natalia Sorokina were arrested during massive searches conducted on 7 October 2018 by personnel of the U.F.S.B. for Smolensk oblast. A criminal case was opened on the basis of part 2 of article 282.2 of the CC of RF (participation in the activity of an extremist society). In essence, the special services have denied the Smolenskians their constitutional right to liberty of religious confession by accusing ordinary citizens who were seen to be worshiping the God Jehovah of continuing the activity of a religious organization that had been liquidated by a court. On that day, at least 17 citizens suffered from the actions of the Smolensk special services, including minors. They all experienced great stress and were subjected to searches, confiscation of personal items, threats, and other forms of pressure.
Now there are three women in Russia in jail on a charge of professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses: Maria Troshina, Natalia Sorokina, and Anastasia Polyakova, who already has been in SIZO No. 1 for Omsk oblast 104 days (at the time of publication). Another four women spent from two to four days in cells of temporary confinement, but later the measure of restriction was softened for them. At the present time, 14 believing women are under a promise not to depart or under a ban on certain activities.
Maria Troshina and Natalia Sorokina are held in the investigation cell No. 1 for Smolensk oblast. (tr. by PDS, posted 16 October 2018)
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