Russia deports first foreigner for ‘missionary activity’

NABEREZHNYE CHELNY, Russia — The first known deportation of a foreigner for allegedly violating a new religion law (commonly called the “law on missionary activity”) in Russia occurred in February.

Seven months after the law was introduced confusion still surrounds its implementation — primarily around whether and how people may share their beliefs as individuals. The law includes harsh restrictions on anyone involved in “missionary activity” without written permission from an officially recognized religious organization.

Indian Protestant Pastor Victor-Immanuel Mani was the first known deportation under Administrative Code Article 5.26 Part 5, according to news sources. Mani was fined more than $500 for the “offense” of advertising religious gatherings on social media and allegedly giving religious literature to a nonmember of his church. He plans to appeal against his deportation.

Nizhny Tagil Evangelical Christian Church in Sverdlovsk Region was convicted twice in February and fined more than $1,000 for “conducting missionary activity” and distributing literature without “indicating its official full name.” Among items ordered to be destroyed were editions of the Bible. (TAB, F18)