(ANSA) – ROME, JUN 08 – The European Court of Human Rights “issued a historic sentence against Russia in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The ECHR declared, 6 votes to 1, that it was illegal for Russia to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses. The court also held that it was illegal to ban their publications, periodicals and the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It therefore ordered Russia to stop all pending criminal proceedings against Jehovah’s Witnesses, to release all those who are in prison, as well as to return all confiscated property or pay appropriate compensation. ” This was reported by the Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves according to which Russia was ordered to pay the applicants a total of 59,617,458 euros “for material damage, mainly seized assets” and 3,447,250 euros “in relation to non-pecuniary damage”.
Jarrod Lopes, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, says: “Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world are pleased with the comprehensive judgment against Russia. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses are respectful citizens of law that, due to religious discrimination, they are illegally persecuted and imprisoned in Russia. We hope that Russia will respect the indications of the Court – the spokesman continues – and stop the persecution at the national level and release all 91 Witnesses in prison. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia await the opportunity to practice their faith freely in their homeland, as do millions of fellow believers in over two hundred other countries. ” (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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