Russian Pastors Fined for Keeping Children's Evangelism Books and Bibles in Churches
Authorities in Vladimir targeted Protestant leaders using legislation against foreign organizations declared undesirable.
Russian courts have imposed financial penalties on two evangelical leaders for keeping Christian literature inside church facilities. In rulings issued at the end of September, autoridades russas aplicaram multas de 20 mil rublos a dois pastores protestantes na cidade de Vladimir following charges that they held materials produced by a banned foreign missionary organization.
The measures targeted Pastor Roman Usmanov of the Golgotha Chapel church and Baptist Pastor Andrey Butorin. Government inspectors checked both church sites on July 1. Court decisions came on September 29 and 30, ordering payments equal to roughly ten days of the average wage in Russia, according to reports by Guiame citing the religious freedom monitoring group Forum 18.
During the inspection at Golgotha Chapel, agentes federais encontraram 81 exemplares do livro "Como apresentar o Evangelho às crianças" along with booklets explaining the New Testament and tracts about forgiveness, peace, and faith. Court records note that some of these materials sat on open bookshelves. Usmanov told the court that the books were set aside for disposal, though he acknowledged that several copies remained accessible to visitors.
