For Immediate Release
February 13, 2003

Moscow freedom of conscience trial adjourned until March

Moscow—On February 13 the Golovinsky Court dismissed a motion by attorneys for the Moscow Community of Jehovah's Witnesses that the case be transferred to the Moscow City Court. The attorneys argued that under the new Civil Procedural Code of the Russian Federation, as of February 1, 2003, cases related to the liquidation of religious organizations come under the jurisdiction of State courts of the Russian Federation. The Golovinsky Court dismissed the motion on the basis that the trial started prior to the adoption of the new Civil Procedural Code.

The Community is appealing the denial of the motion to have the case moved, since the decision deprives them of legal rights accorded other religious organizations.

During the day's proceedings, the prosecutor for the Northern Administrative Circuit Prosecutor's Office of Moscow presented an updated version of his statement of claim in which he asserts that he is defending the rights and freedoms of a "certain" group of people.

This trial was initiated by the Northern Administrative Circuit Prosecutor's Office of Moscow in April 1998. The plaintiff seeks to deprive the Moscow-registered religious organization of rights outlined in the 1997 Federal Law of Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations. These include the right to own a place of worship, to receive and distribute religious literature, to share beliefs with others, and to teach religion to its followers.

The trial was adjourned until March 25.

Local contact: Yaroslav Sivul'skiy
Telephone: +7 (902) 682 8197
E-mail: jsivulskii@vsol.ru