For Immediate Release
February 10, 1999
(Russian)

Reports spread in the Russian media concerning the suicide of three schoolgirls in the Moscow suburban city of Balashikha

The administrative center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia expresses its deepest sympathy to the families of the three schoolgirls who died in the Moscow suburban city of Balashikha, and announces officially that Jehovah's Witnesses are not involved with this event in any way.

First, these schoolgirls were never members of the religious community of Jehovah's Witnesses, and were not studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses.

Second, neither in the religious practice of Jehovah's Witnesses nor in their teachings do they call on anyone to commit suicide. Jehovah's Witnesses love and value their lives as a wonderful gift from our Creator. According to the Bible, suicide is a sin.

The spread of such slander concerning the reasons for the suicide of the schoolgirls is part of a propaganda campaign against Jehovah's Witnesses conducted by enemies of religious freedom.

The Administrative Center is prepared to take all legal means to prevent the spread of such slanderous information in the future.

Detailed information on the Moscow trial can be found at www.jw-media.org. For more information on Jehovah's Witnesses, visit www.watchtower.org.

Media contact: (718) 560-5600