Russia has prosecuted at least 40 individuals and 2 organizations in 2020 for unauthorized 'missionary activity'

A report released from a human rights watchdog says that Muslims are facing increasing prosecutions in Russia, and Catholic and Methodist organizations are facing prosecutions for the first time.

Forum 18 reports that "between the beginning of January and the end of June 2020, there were at least 42 prosecutions under Administrative Code Article 5.26, Part 4 (Russians conducting missionary activity) and Part 5 (Foreigners conducting missionary activity)."

The organization says that when compared to annual averages the pace isn't that out of the ordinary. It says, however, what is unusual is that more Muslims are facing scrutiny for religious activities, as well as the first known prosections of Catholic and Methodist individuals or organizations.

Forty-two cases have reached the courts so far in 2020. Forum 18 says that is actually behind slightly compared to other years but attributes the slowdown to COVID-19 restrictions in the court system.

"Of the 42 cases known to have reached court so far in 2020, two involved organizations and 40 individuals. Thirty-six resulted in a conviction and three in acquittal, while judges closed or sent back three cases. The first half of 2020, therefore, saw a conviction rate (for those cases which reached a verdict) of 92.3 per cent. All those convicted received fines, though a few of these were later overturned on appeal."

There were four foreigners charged under Article 5.26 Part 5, and two of them were ordered deported "by means of enforced expulsion." Forum 18 says this means they were sent to detention centres for foreign nationals before their deportation. It is believed that one of the men is still being detained six months after his order was given.

Accusations that Muslims faced included teaching others how to read Arabic and how to read the Koran at a mosque without necessary documents from the religious organization for missionary activity.

A Pentecostal pastor was charged for holding Sunday services on residential premises without written authorization from his religious group.

Other Christians faced charges for leaving religious literature in shops without belonging to a religious group or having permission to perform missionary activity.

A group of Baptist missionaries were also detained after giving religious literature to plainclothes police officers.