Jehovah’s Witnesses

For Immediate Release
November 9, 2001
(Russian)

Moscow court to examine religious literature

MOSCOW—A trial that has far-reaching consequences for religious freedom in Russia is set to run for an extended period after Judge Vera Dubinskaya reversed an earlier decision. She ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses may use the Bible and compare their teachings with those of the Russian Orthodox Church in defense of the charges. Additionally, she asked that all religious literature referred to in the case be made available for the court’s inspection.

Defense lawyers successfully argued that use of the Bible is necessary because Prosecutor Tatyana Kondratyeva has repeatedly answered questions by stating: “I do not need facts. Statements in Jehovah’s Witnesses’ religious literature are sufficient evidence.” Earlier, Kondratyeva accused Jehovah’s Witnesses of “distorting the meaning of the Bible” and then objected to its use in court saying: “The Bible is hard to understand.” Over the past few days, Kondratyeva has faced a rigorous cross-examination of her application during which she expressly stated that one of her objectives is to ensure that Jehovah’s Witnesses are legally unable to erect or lease a building in Moscow.

Defense lawyer Artur Leontyev stated: “The prosecutor has said that the standard for religious truth is the Russian Orthodox Church. Jehovah’s Witnesses disagree. As a result, we are facing a Reformation-style challenge to sincerely held religious convictions.” However, Leontyev added: “Surely a court of law is not the place for such a discussion!”

Jehovah’s Witnesses had gained a legal, victory in the Golovinsky Court on February 23, 2001. That ruling was described by the journal Christianity Today on February 26as ‘a huge setback for Russia’s controversial 1997 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Association.’ The article went on to say: “Still, the Jehovah’s Witnesses may not be out of the woods yet. ‘A court verdict is a powerful thing, of course. But it is tricky to say whether we are talking about the final decision on this particular problem,’ says Father Vsevolod Chaplin, representative of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. ‘In any case, this is a matter for state powers.’ In other words, the Russian Orthodox Church will keep pushing. And if they do, so will the state,” the article warned.

The case is adjourned until Monday, November 26.

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