The UN called on Russia to review the law on countering extremist activities due to the verdict of a Dane from Jehovah's Witnesses

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on the Russian authorities to review the law “On Combating Extremist Activities” in connection with the verdict of Dane Dennis Christensen, who was sentenced to six years in prison for the oldest Oryol branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“We call on the Russian government to review the law to clarify the vague and undefined term 'extremist activity' and ensure that such a definition requires violence or hatred,” Bachelet said in the statement . “We also call on the authorities to drop charges against all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly.”

Earlier today, the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Orel sentenced Kristenesen to six years in prison on charges of leading the activities of an organization recognized as extremist (Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code). The European Union called for the release of the religious figure.

The UN considered that the court's decision creates a precedent - the criminalization of the right to freedom of religion in Russia, which violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Mediazona” has previously written in detail about the persecution of adherents of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which began after the organization was banned in Russia by decision of the Supreme Court.