Russian Federation

Christian groups face surveillance

In Muslim-dominated regions in Russia, Christians who have converted from Islam often bear the brunt of persecution at the hands of family, friends and community members. In some areas where conservative Islam is dominant, believers must keep their faith secret for fear of being executed. Throughout the country, unregistered churches active in evangelism may face obstructions in the form of surveillance and interrogation by the local authorities.

How Christians are suffering

Much of the pressure on Christians in Russia comes from the government imposing restrictive legislation. Since the implementation of the anti-terrorist Yarovaya laws, the level of surveillance of all non-Orthodox Christian churches has increased. As a result, Christian activity is often under state surveillance, and church services are sometimes raided by security forces. Christian converts in the radicalized Muslim regions of the Caucasus face immense pressure from family, friends and local community to renounce their faith. Out of fear, converts often do not even attempt to go to church meetings. Some have been forced to flee or find refuge in safe houses.

Recent examples of persecution

At least 14 Christians were arrested, including four Christians who worked in a rehabilitation center for drug addicts and were sentenced to five-to-eight years imprisonment.

Five missionaries in Chechnya were detained several times, harassed and later deported from Chechnya.

At least 10 churches were attacked and/or forcibly closed.

Population and number of Christian statistics: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2019).