Russia, 147 Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to heavy terms languish behind bars

On 25 October, 46-year-old Jehovah’s Witness Roman Mareev was released after having served his prison term but many others are still behind barbed wires: 147 according to the database of religious prisoners of Human Rights Without Frontiers in Brussels.

In Russia, to be a Jehovah’s Witness is a worse crime than to kidnap or to rape. In comparison

• According to Article 111 Part 1 of the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code, grievous bodily harm draws a maximum of 8 years sentence. 
• According to Article 126 Part 1 of the Criminal Code, kidnapping leads to up to 5 years in prison.
• According to Article 131 Part 1 of the Criminal Code, rape is punishable…