Protestant churches targeted by repression
Churches of the “New Generation” were searched in several regions in a criminal case involving alleged cooperation with an undesirable organization
Sova Center (15.08.2022) – https://bit.ly/3pnjgts – On August 14, 2022, it became known about searches of members of the New Generation Church, which took place in several regions as part of a criminal case under Art. 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (implementation of activities of a foreign or international non-governmental organization in respect of which a decision has been made to declare its activities undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation).
In particular, the searches took place in Moscow, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, Sochi and Krasnodar.
During the searches, religious literature and computer equipment were seized.
According to Kemerovo pastor Andrei Matyuzhov, at least two people have been detained.
RIA Novosti published a video in which the searching security forces put the owner of the house on the floor face down, while scaring his child.
Many media, reporting on searches, call the “New Generation” a “sect” that supports the Ukrainian battalion “Azov” banned in Russia.
Recall that in 2021, the Prosecutor General’s Office recognized the activities of four New Generation organizations based in Latvia and Ukraine as undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation. In December 2021, the security forces disrupted the pastoral conference organized by the Russian Pentecostals in Ramenskoye, after which many of its participants were prosecuted under Art. 20.33 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a foreign or international non-governmental organization in respect of which a decision has been made to declare its activities undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation).
HRWF Comment
The crackdown on “New Generation” Evangelical Churches is being instrumentalised by the Russian media supporting Putin’s policy to get the support of the Russian population. The accusation of “dangerous sect of Western origin” and the alleged links with the Ukrainian Azov battalion are not to be taken seriously in the West. The aim is the rejection of the West by the Russian Orthodox population.Russian propaganda
In Krasnodar and Sochi, searches are being carried out in the cells of the religious sect supporting “Azov”* // Kommersant. 2022. August 14.
The cells of the “New Generation”* sect are being searched // RIA Novosti. 2022. August 14.
In Russia, the cells of the religious sect supporting “Azov” were searched // Izvestia. 2022. August 14.
Search in the church and in the pastor’s house. Chronology of events // Facebook of Pastor Andrey Matyuzhov. 2022. August 14.
In the Russian Federation, searches and arrests in churches “New Generation”* // Institute of Religion and Politics. 2022. August 14. (Photos and videos)
Photo : Credit: New Generation Church