Russian courts banned three more Baptist churches in October for failing to register with the government, according to the religious freedom watchdog Forum 18.
These churches, located in the southern region of Krasnodar, are part of the Council of Churches Baptists, which has already seen seven other congregations banned.
“In Russia, the ‘witch hunt’ is continuing,” Russian attorney Anatoly Pchelintsev said. “I have a question for the deputies who seem so quick to pass prohibitive and punitive laws: What’s stopping them from providing clarity and certainty in legislation so that believers are not harassed?”
It is unclear why officials have specifically targeted congregations of the Council of Churches Baptists since 2024. However, it may relate to the numerous cases of “unlawful missionary activity” in the Krasnodar region.
When a church is banned by court order, it is prohibited from meeting not only at its usual location but anywhere within the city or district.
The reason these churches choose not to register lies in their foundational purpose. The Council of Churches Baptists was established during the Cold War to resist Soviet control over its congregations, unlike registered churches, which were strictly regulated by the state.
Although the Council continued its activities after the fall of the Soviet Union and now meets openly, they do so only in private homes or on private land.
