Historic Milestones in Russia
MAY 5, 2018—Saint Petersburg City Court upholds ruling that allows State seizure of the Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
JULY 17, 2017—Appellate Chamber of the Russian Federation Supreme Court upholds April 20 Decision. Jehovah’s Witnesses are effectively banned in Russia
APRIL 20, 2017—Russian Federation Supreme Court rules to criminalize the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
NOVEMBER 30, 2015—All sixteen Witnesses on retrial in Taganrog are criminally convicted for practicing their faith. The judge suspended the sentences
DECEMBER 2, 2014—Supreme Court of the Russian Federation bans jw.org
JULY 30, 2014—Seven of sixteen Witnesses on trial in Taganrog are criminally convicted for practicing their faith
JUNE 10, 2010—European Court of Human Rights declares the ban on the Moscow Community of Jehovah’s Witnesses a violation of human rights
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009—Rostov Regional Court declares 34 publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be extremist
2009—Russian law-enforcement authorities begin misapplying the Federal Law on Counteracting Extremist Activity
MARCH 26, 2004—Moscow Community of Jehovah’s Witnesses banned
MARCH 1996—Jehovah’s Witnesses fully exonerated as victims of political repression
DECEMBER 11, 1992—Russian Federation legally registers Jehovah’s Witnesses
MARCH 27, 1991—Soviet Union legally registers Jehovah’s Witnesses
OCTOBER 1965—Easing of government restrictions and oppression
APRIL 1951—About 9,500 Witnesses from six Soviet republics exiled to Siberia
1928—Jehovah’s Witnesses fail to achieve legal registration; years of persecution begin
1891—First Russian Witness exiled to Siberia
1887—First recorded instance of The Watchtower being mailed to Russia