17 April 2025

RUSSIA: Criminal prosecution to follow fine for anti-war post?

Police prosecuted Apostolic Orthodox Church Archbishop Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko for allegedly "discrediting" Russia's Armed Forces in a 2022 online video. On 1 April, a St Petersburg court fined him a week's average wages. He quoted in court Jesus' words "blessed are the peacemakers", adding "the Church is obliged to voice precisely this position". A court spokesperson explained his conviction: "He uploaded a video in which it was said that Russia groundlessly invaded Ukraine. What other reasoning do you need?" Archbishop Grigory expects a second "discreditation" accusation and criminal prosecution.

16 April 2025

RUSSIA: Criminal trial of anti-war believer begins, another continues, third awaited

On 14 April, a military court began the trial of Christian preacher Eduard Charov on criminal charges of repeat "discreditation" of the Armed Forces and "public justification of terrorism". He is accused over social media posts criticising Russia's war against Ukraine. The trial of Zen Buddhist leader Ilya Vasilyev – arrested in June 2024 - continues in Moscow over anti-war posts he made "solely out of religious conviction". Protestant pastor Nikolay Romanyuk is under investigation for an anti-war sermon. A court extended pre-trial detention until June, despite his poor health.

15 April 2025

OCCUPIED UKRAINE: Russian FSB raids, court cases, fines, deportation threats

On 2 March, officers of the Russian FSB security service and Luhansk Regional Police's Anti-Extremism Centre raided the Sunday worship meeting of a Baptist congregation in Stakhanov in Russian-occupied Luhansk Region. On 10 April, a court acquitted the church's pastor. This was the latest raid on religious communities in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. Officers particularly target religious communities that do not have registration under Russian law. They seize religious literature, photograph those present and hand material to Prosecutor's Offices for religious leaders to be prosecuted.

9 April 2025

KAZAKHSTAN: 15-month criminal investigation of anti-war priest

Orthodox priest Yakov (Vorontsov) faced difficulties with his diocese after criticising Russia's war against Ukraine in March 2022. After an "emotional" August 2023 Facebook post saying the Russian Orthodox Church "has long had nothing in common with Christianity", police summoned him after an anonymous denunciation and call for him to be prosecuted for inciting religious and ethnic hatred (with a maximum 7-year prison sentence if convicted). Police Investigator Samat Atakhan opened an investigation in December 2023 and – despite one "expert analysis" clearing Fr Yakov – commissioned another and has not closed the case.

28 March 2025

RUSSIA: Second jail term for discussing faith during first term

Jehovah's Witness Dmitry Terebilov was due for release from his 3-year prison term in September 2024. But he was already being prosecuted for answering a fellow-prisoner's questions about his faith. Using covert recordings, a court in Kostroma jailed him for just over five years for "continuing the activities of a banned extremist organisation". "I cannot understand what evil I have committed and to whom," Terebilov told the court. Neither the court nor the Prosecutor's Office responded to questions. A Vladivostok court jailed two Jehovah's Witness men and handed five women suspended sentences.

19 March 2025

TAJIKISTAN: Authorities obstruct Ismaili commemoration of Aga Khan's death

Ismaili Shia Muslims gathered at the Ismaili Centre in Khorugh in Mountainous Badakhshan on 5 February to mourn the death of their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan IV. NSC secret police officers and other officials removed loudspeakers for those unable to get in for lack of space, warning those who protested. Electricity to the Ismaili Centre in Dushanbe was cut off on 11 February at the moment the homage ceremony for the Aga Khan V began. The regime is taking steps to isolate Ismailis from the worldwide community.

18 March 2025

UZBEKISTAN: Ramadan ban on children at mosques, fasting by National Guard officers

Police have expelled children from mosques in Tashkent, Fergana and elsewhere or prevented them from entering during Tarawih night prayers since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began in late February. "Police officers caught children present during the prayer, and drove them out, scolding and threatening them with punishment," one Muslim complained. "These children are under 18 and under the Law are not allowed to participate in religious activity," insisted Abdurahim Kadyrov of the Religious Affairs Committee. National Guard officers had to sign a pledge not to fast during Ramadan.

12 March 2025

UZBEKISTAN: Parents face punishment for their children's religious education

On 21 February, a new law came into force introducing fines of over one month's average wages or up to 15 days in jail for parents who allow their children to receive "illegal" religious education before the age of 18. Existing laws target those who teach religion to under-18s, not parents. Many Muslims expressed concern about the law before it was adopted. An official at the regime-appointed Ombudsperson's Office refused to put Forum 18 through to her, adding: "unfortunately we cannot give any information since it is all confidential".