Woman of Protestant faith detained in Ukraine's occupied territory for suspected remarks during private religious gathering
In the Russia-controlled area of Ukraine, a woman in her early fifties has been under arrest since early 2024. She was arrested in July 2023 for participating in a prayer meeting in Melitopol, a city in south-east Ukraine. The charges against her are not directly related to her religious activities, but rather for giving 'knowingly false information' about the Russian armed forces.
The woman's case is being prosecuted by the Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), but it is unclear if this is related to the new authorities' aim to halt the work of religious sects, which was expressed in February 2024. At least three churches have been banned and all their properties seized in the Zaporizhzhia region, including Grace Protestant Church, Melitopol Christian Church, and Word of Life Protestant Church. These churches are accused by the pro-Russian authorities of having links with foreign 'special services'.
However, it is unclear if the woman under arrest since early 2024 is a member of any of the targeted religious sects. She is not thought to be a church leader, and it is unknown if other individuals are being targeted by the new authorities for their religious activities in the Russia-controlled area of Ukraine.
The charges against the woman are based on allegations that she provided false information about the Russian armed forces. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in jail, but it is unclear if this sentence applies to members of the targeted religious sects.
The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, a government agency, accused the woman in the affected group of persons of giving 'deliberately false information' about the Russian armed forces. The woman is being prosecuted by the Russian occupation forces for this alleged crime.
It is important to note that at least three churches have been banned and their properties seized in the Zaporizhzhia region, but it is unclear if these churches are among those targeted by the new authorities. The authorities did not specify which religious sects are targeted, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the future.
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