4. DAY TRIAL IN RUSSIA, APRIL 12, 2017 ( by Jose A. Gutierrez, Spain ) Explanation made with the help of Russian Brothers and Sisters....

[Queen Esther]

4. DAY TRIAL IN RUSSIA, APRIL 12, 2017
( by  Jose A. Gutierrez, Spain )
Explanation made with the help of Russian Brothers and Sisters....

 More than 200 people have held queues since 5:30 in the morning to enter
As far as we are informed, the Commemoration has been held smoothly and peacefully except for 3 congregations where the police entered violently and took the personal data of all attendees.
The trial begins giving the floor to our lawyers who immediately expose the violation of Russian and international laws by the Ministry of Justice.
In particular, they have violated the following laws: articles 9, 10, 11 of the European Convention, articles 28, 29, 30 of the Russian Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In addition, Russia faces international condemnation of violating the right of Jehovah's Witnesses to freedom of religion, according to judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), a court with authority.

According to the Court of Human Rights (ECHR), it has been determined that it clearly determines whether a text incites hatred and enmity, inciting violence and revenge of blood. The Ministry of Justice has sent a report to the European Court of Human Rights stating clearly that there is evidence of violence in witnesses' publications.
Our lawyers respond that witnesses have numerous awards and recognition from local authorities for their conduct and that no one has ever warned witnesses of extremist activities.

The judge had previously requested the position of the administrative center (Bethel) against extremist activities. As Bethel has not been called to trial, our lawyers explain: 1) The first thing they do is inform all congregations in Russia of every publication that is banned by the Ministry of Justice. 2) There is a commission that prevents the appearance of extremist material in our publications. 3) In vain they notify the authorities. 4) unsuccessfully, the Prosecutor General's office was asked to inform them that other measures are expected from witnesses.

Our lawyers remind the court that international law prohibits degrading and inhuman treatment. The Ministry of Justice is violating these laws by persecuting witnesses, seeking that believers are afraid to openly practice their Faith.
In fact, some brother has received political asylum in Europe when the congregation of Taganrog was dissolved by the police. However, the vast majority of the 175,000 witnesses will not leave Russia if persecuted.

For the first time, our lawyers make the court hear the thousands of letters and national and international calls that have come to Russia calling for the prosecution of witnesses to be stopped for political reasons and noting the misapplication of the antiterrorist law to witnesses. Have written the most recognized Russian human rights activists, who have written to the Helsinki Group of Moscow, as well as the various appeals to the Russian government of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United Nations and others, The Ministry of Justice Is ignoring all the signals, continues to act as a repressive body.

The Ministry of Justice has always been biased because it has insisted on using only the conclusions of experts who found "signs of extremism" in Jehovah's Witness literature. This is further proof that the action of the Ministry of Justice is to prohibit Jehovah's Witnesses for political reasons.
Regarding the issue of preventing medical treatment, lawyers point to Russian laws that precisely defend the rights of Russian patients with the possibility of choosing or not a medical treatment. The Ministry of Health itself recognizes in writing the dangers of blood transfusions, as well as the obligation to obtain the written consent of a patient to be operated. Why is this right allowed to other religions and not witnesses?

The judge begins to ask the lawyers for the witnesses.
Does the administrative center dictate the interpretation of the Bible to all congregations? He is told that no, that the guidelines are given by a Board, are international guidelines.
In what sense does the administrative center (Bethel) coordinate the activities of congregations? Answer: Congregations are autonomous entities and Bethel only gives them recommendations. For example, if there is doubt in building a kingdom hall, Bethel recommends that they become modest. But the final decision is from the congregation.
The judge is interested in the statutes of Bethel and congregations. The judge is guaranteed that these statutes are in tune with the witnesses' faith.
The judge asks whether the organization of witnesses can be u -

( translated  by  google )