Jehovah’s Witnesses

For Immediate Release
February 12, 1999

Prosecutor calls a ’sick day’ in Moscow human rights trial

MOSCOW—The prosecutor in the trial to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow asked for an adjournment today because of illness and declined to allow another prosecuting attorney to present the case.

Prosecutor T. I. Kondratyeva appeared before the court and requested an adjournment until Monday because of her illness. Kondratyeva said the second prosecutor was too busy to present the case in her place.

Thursday, the prosecution made five motions—including calling for the removal of the judge—all of which were denied. The prosecutor also attempted to avoid questions from the defense about the charges brought by her office that Jehovah’s Witnesses promote religious intolerance and split up families. According to trial observers, Thursday ended with a frustrated prosecutor and an irritated judge.

This civil case brought against Jehovah’s Witnesses is the first that uses Russia’s controversial new law on religion. Human rights leaders fear that a prosecution victory in this case could result in human rights violations against many religious faiths throughout Russia. The defense has twice called for dismissal of the case for lack of evidence. Jehovah’s Witnesses are the fifth largest Christian faith in Russia and have been present there for more than a century.

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.

Contact: J.R. Brown (718) 560-5600