Another criminal case has been initiated against a Nizhny Novgorod Jehovah's Witness

Maxim Zavrazhnov is accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization.

On July 17, 2019, a criminal case was initiated in Nizhny Novgorod against a follower of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. Maxim Zavrazhnov is charged under Part 1 of Art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code (organization of the activities of an extremist organization). He was chosen a measure of restraint in the form of a ban on certain actions. On February 27, 2020, it became known that Zavrazhny's preventive measure was changed to a written undertaking not to leave.

The case of Zavrazhnov became known after the mass searches and arrests that took place in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in July 2019.

The accusation of Jehovah's Witnesses of involvement in the activities of an extremist organization is due to the fact that in April 2017 the Supreme Court of Russia decided to recognize the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and 395 local religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses as extremist. We believe that this decision, which entailed the mass persecution of believers under Art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code, had no legal grounds, and we regard it as a manifestation of religious discrimination.

Sources

• The case of Zavrazhny in Nizhny Novgorod. Message from Jehovah's Witnesses. 2019. July 17.