Arson destroys religious meeting hall in Russia
For the first time in the modern history of Russia, arson left a Kingdom Hall, or house of worship used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, in charred ruins. This comes at a time when official opposition to religious freedom has reached the highest levels since the establishment of the Russian Federation. (Russian)
FSB officers raid Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
On July 16, the FSB security service arrived at a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Yekaterinburg and detained 18 members present, some of whom were doing building repair work. The officers searched the premises and seized Bible-based religious literature. They initially refused to allow the Witnesses to use their mobile telephones to contact a lawyer. (Russian)
Struggle continues for conscientious objectors
Currently, Armenia has 78 Jehovah’s Witnesses who are in prison for their conscientious refusal of military service on religious grounds. Another 5 received suspended sentences. Currently, Nagorno-Karabakh has one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison for his conscientious refusal of military service on religious grounds.
Four years in a labor colony for being a Christian
In Uzbekistan, the Samarkand Criminal Court sentenced Olim Turayev to four years in a labor colony for practicing his Christian faith.
Worldwide Publishing and Translating
Since 1926, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has published more than 153 million copies of the Bible in 67 languages. The Watchtower has an average printing of 37 million, giving it the largest circulation of any religious magazine in the world.
2008/2009 “Guided by God’s Spirit” District Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Three-day conventions begin in the United States on the weekend of May 23-25 and will be subsequently held in cities throughout the world. The public is welcome to attend. Last year, more than 12 million people attended one of the more than 3,200 of such conventions that were held worldwide.
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Faithful Under Trials—Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Soviet Union
