It was reported in December that Russian security agencies are using sweeping surveillance powers to impose harsh restrictions on evangelical Christian groups in the name of tackling vaguely defined ‘extremist’ activities.
The ‘Yarovaya Law’, introduced in 2016, imposes tough fines and potential expulsion from Russia, and places heightened restrictions on religious groups including requiring an official permit to meet outside officially-registered religious buildings.
This effectively bans meetings held in Christians’ homes as well as criminalising house churches.
