November 23^rd, 1999
Resolution part

Regarding the case examining the constitutional regulations of paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 27, point 3, of the Federation Law "On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations"

Regarding the appeals of the religious society of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city of Yaroslavl, and the "Christian Glorification Church" in the city of Abakan

The Constitutional Court of the RF
has decreed:

1. To acknowledge that the regulations contained in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 27, point 3, of the Federal Law "On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations" do not contradict the Constitution of the RF, as they are consistent with the regulations of Article 9, point 1, and Article 11, point 5, of the given Federal Law as applied to their operation in relation to religious organizations established before the given Federal Law came into force and also in relation to local religious organizations included in the structure of central religious organizations, meaning that these organizations have the rights of a juridical person in full capacity without the confirmation of the 15-year minimal period of existence in the corresponding territory, without yearly reregistration, and without the restrictions stipulated in paragraph 4 of Article 27, point 3, of the aforementioned Federal Law. By virtue of the requirements of Articles 96 and 97 of the Federal Constitutional Law "On the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation," the court has not in this proceeding examined the question of whether or not the regulations of Article 27 of the Federal Law, point 3, paragraphs 3 and 4, are consistent with Article 9, point 1, and Article 11, point 5, as applied to their operation regarding other religious organizations.
2. The constitutional-legal sense of the regulations of paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 27, point 3, as being consistent with Article 9, point 1, and Article 11, point 5, of the Federal Law "On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations," made known by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation with the present decree, is binding for all and excludes their being interpreted in any other way in applied legal practice.
3. In harmony with parts 1 and 2 of Article 79 of the Federal Constitutional Law "On The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation," the present decree is final and not subject to appeal. It comes into force immediately after its proclamation, operates directly, and does not require confirmation from any other organs and official persons.
4. In accord with Article 78 of the Federal Constitutional Law "On The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation," the present decree should be published without delay in The Collected Litigation of the RF and in [the Russian newspaper] Rossiyskaya Gazeta. The decree should also be published in The Herald of the Constitutional Court of the RF.

The document above is not an official translation from Russian to English, but was prepared by this office. Attached here is a copy of the decree in Russian.