Sochi resident challenges fine imposed for reading Bible in cafe

Today, Alexei Kolyasnikov, a resident of Sochi and the leader of the religious group named "Christian Community", and his advocate Alexander Popkov have filed a complaint against the court ruling to impose a fine for holding an alleged unsanctioned meeting in a cafe, where they read out the Bible.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 10 at the request of the prosecutor's office, Kolyasnikov was fined for holding an unsanctioned meeting in a café, where they read the Bible. The leader of the religious group "Christian Community" challenged the fine; and on November 19 the case was sent to reconsideration; however, on December 12, the Federal Court again found Kolyasnikov guilty and fined him by 30,000 roubles.

The court ruling is "illegal, unreasonable and violating the fundamental human rights and freedoms," the lawyer Alexander Popkov said in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The lawyer's complaint notes that the Russian Constitution guarantees every citizen the "freedom of religion", including the right to "freely choose, have and disseminate religious and other beliefs." "Article 31 of the Constitution guarantees that citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to assemble peacefully, without forearms, and hold meetings," the lawyer has reminded.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.