Russian religious freedom in spotlight

MOSCOW, Russia -- A Russian court has resumed a two-year battle to ban Jehovah's Witnesses -- a case seen as crucial to the freedom and protection of religious groups in the country.

The organisation denies charges of breaking up families, fomenting national discord, restricting individuals' rights and freedom and converting minors without their parents' permission.

It also rejects allegations that it puts lives at risk by opposing blood transfusions -- a belief strongly held by the organisation as contrary to God's law.

Russia's Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Association only recognises Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity as mainstream faiths besides Russian Orthodoxy.

But the act expects all other religions to register with local and national authorities for approval in Russia, a key test of a 1997 law criticised by the United States.

Vasily Kalin, chairman of the managing committee of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, said on Tuesday: "The prosecutor is trying to show how the Bible should be interpreted but I think that is not a matter for the general prosecutor's office."

"During all these years of court hearings there has been no witness evidence and no documents presented" he added.

Russia is reported to have 280,000 Jehovah Witnesses, including 15,000 in Moscow.

Kalin said that 361 groups had already won registration and that problems had only been experienced in Moscow.

"I think this is the first attempt by our opponents of freedom and democracy in Russia, who want to have us closed down in Moscow and then at the federal level."

The departments that launched the action -- the Moscow mayor's office in charge of religious affairs and the Russian Orthodox Church -- were not available for comment on the case.

Founded in 1872 in the United States, the Witnesses are so called for their belief that Jehovah is the true name for God.

The sect's goal is the establishment of God's kingdom -- which they believe will emerge following Armageddon -- a teaching based on the readings of the apocalyptic books of the Bible.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Jehovah's Witnesses

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