Unidentified persons shell liturgical building of Jehovah's Witnesses in Novoshakhtinsk

At night on February 25, unknown assailants opened airgun fire on the liturgical building of Jehovah's Witnesses, located in the city of Novoshakhtinsk (Rostov Region). No injuries were registered. This was reported today by Grigory Martynov, spokesman of the Administrative Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.

The attackers fired at least 15 shots on the building and broke six windows. Believers went to the police on this fact; however, initiation of a criminal case is not reported.

Besides, on February 16, unidentified hooligans decorated the fence of the similar liturgical building in Armavir (Krasnodar Territory) with neo-Nazi letters and symbols, apparently addressed to Jehovah's Witnesses.

"For the 12 years of existence of this liturgical building such act of vandalism was committed for the first time," said Grigory Martynov with reference to local believers.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 8 in Akhtubinsk (Astrakhan Region) five houses, where Jehovah's Witnesses live, were searched by detectives on charges of inciting hatred and enmity. Believers complained of violation of their rights by law enforcers.