Russia
Three Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to six or more years in Russian prison for their faith
By Kathryn Post — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since 2017, 14 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been sentenced to six or more years of prison in Russia, where they are considered an extremist group.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny denied access to a Quran in prison
By Joseph Hammond — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — 'I made a list of ways I wanted to improve myself that I will try to complete in jail. One of the points was to deeply study and understand the Quran,' Navalny said in an Instagram post. He is threatening to sue Russian authorities over access to Islam’s holy book.
In a Ukrainian librarian’s matzo, a story of Passover freedom
By Alex Weisler — March 29, 2021
(RNS) — An 89-year-old's journey teaches us to share our freedoms to build meaningful community.
First Jehovah’s Witness woman sentenced in Russia after faith declared ‘extremist’
By Adelle M. Banks — February 24, 2021
(RNS) — The faith group’s spokesman called the ruling ‘a mockery of the rule of law — both international human rights law as well as Russia’s constitution.’
New START buys time on nukes. Now let’s start banning them altogether
By Diane Randall — February 8, 2021
(RNS) — Even with New START, we have a long road to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Christians and Muslims in Central African Republic share shelter as renewed fighting displaces thousands
By Fredrick Nzwili — January 27, 2021
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — This latest wave of violence in the central African country has caused massive displacement of populations and forced nearly 200,000 people — half of them children — to flee from their homes.
Fifth Jehovah’s Witness receives six-year sentence in Russia for practicing his faith
By Adelle M. Banks — December 17, 2020
(RNS) — Yuriy Savelyev was ‘charged with organizing the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ when his home was raided in 2018.
One Jehovah’s Witness acquitted in Russia as others get months of restrictions
By Adelle M. Banks — October 8, 2020
(RNS) — ‘We hope that Russia will stop vilifying Jehovah’s Witnesses with the preposterous label of ‘extremists,’’ a spokesman said.
Scholars call out Putin and the ‘escalation’ of persecution against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 2, 2020
(RNS) — A group of 50 religion scholars from around the world are calling on President Vladimir Putin and his administration to end the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
Russia’s human and religious rights record criticized at House hearing
By Adelle M. Banks — February 27, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Russia’s violations are spreading through the country and even across its borders, said a U.S. religious freedom policy expert.
Jordan Peterson’s perfectly Petersonian health scare
By Tara Isabella Burton — February 18, 2020
(RNS) — The 21st century’s most vocal proponent of manly self-reliance is reportedly suffering from chemical dependence. It's telling that Peterson's family has carefully explained his illness in terms that agree with his self-help themes.
Ukrainian Greek Catholics wrap up synod and leave Rome with a mission
By Claire Giangravé — September 13, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The leaders of the world's largest Eastern Catholic church are poised to become the Vatican’s voice in Eastern Europe.
Émigré Russian Orthodox inch toward a return to Moscow Patriarchate
By Tom Heneghan — September 10, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — A decision seemed to be made, but as with most émigré politics and disputes among Eastern Orthodox churches, it got complicated.
Rome synod aims to bolster identity of Ukrainian Greek Catholics amid conflict
By Claire Giangravé — September 4, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The synod of the world's largest Eastern church requires some delicate diplomacy for a pontificate that has made numerous efforts to strengthen relations with Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church.
Russian Orthodox Church considers a ban on blessing weapons of mass destruction
By Marc Bennetts — July 9, 2019
MOSCOW (RNS) — The ban would constitute a signal change in the church's official policy regarding Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
