On November 30, 2015, Judge Vasyutchenko convicted all 16 of Jehovah’s Witnesses on trial in Taganrog for their religious activity, but he suspended the sentences. How does this affect those convicted? What does this decision mean for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Taganrog and elsewhere in Russia? This video statement responds to the decision and reports on the latest development in this lengthy trial.
All 16 defendants were convicted of extremist activity. A dangerous precedent is now set for authorities to criminalize the peaceful religious activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
