Court Ordered to Free Dennis Christensen

[The Outcast]

 

https://jw-russia.org/news/2020/06/16.html

The Court Ordered to Free Dennis Christensen, one of Jehovah's Witness From Denmark. For His Faith, He Stayed in Prison for 1128 Days

On June 23, 2020, at 19:50 Lgov district court, considering Dennis Christensen's petition for mitigation of his sentence, replaced his unexpired part of the prison term with a fine of 400,000 rubles. A Jehovah's Witness convicted of faith will be released after the court ruling enters into force.

The hearing was attended by Danish diplomats. No one else, including Dennis' wife Irina, was allowed into the building. Christensen himself attended the hearing via video.

Dennis Christensen was arrested on 25 May 2017 and sentenced to six years in prison in February 2019. The court considered it extremist that the believer continued to gather with his fellow believers for religious meetings and welcomed them before the religious service. However, there were no victims of Christensen's "crimes". To date, the believer has actually been behind bars for about 3 years and 1 month. However, taking into account the fact that according to the law, one day in the pre-trial detention facility equals 1.5 days in the general regime colony, Christensen has served more than 4 years of the term appointed by the court.

"From the moment of his arrest Christensen has behaved and behaved respectfully and correctly towards the employees of the investigation and court, the pre-trial detention facility and the employees of correctional colony № 3. He independently organized free English language training for prisoners, maintains friendly relations with other convicts," said Christensen's lawyer, explaining to Galina Petlitsa the grounds for the mitigation of punishment to the believer.

Correctional colony No. 3 in Lgov

The lawyer described the mistakes made by the courts, which put Christensen in prison. As stated in an appeal ruling of the Supreme Court on October 18, 2016, which confirmed the liquidation of the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses "Oryol," believers in Russia "are not deprived of the opportunity to perform their own religious worship. Contrary to this, the courts interpreted Christensen's private religion as the continuation of a banned legal entity.

"Judge Galina Petlitsa made a fair decision. This is a brave and honest act, which is not often decided recently by the judges hearing the cases of Jehovah's Witnesses," said the representative of the European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses, Yaroslav Sivulski.

Replacing the punishment of a believer means for Christensen the opportunity to go free without any additional restrictions, except for the obligation to pay the fine, said Christensen's advocate.

Currently, there are 10 convicts in Russian colonies for the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, while another 24 people are imprisoned. A total of 353 people who hold the views of Jehovah's Witnesses are accused of extremism for their Christian faith. The religious persecution continues despite assurances from the Russian government and Vladimir Putin that there is no reason to persecute Jehovah's Witnesses.

 

[Tbs77]

I will find my post that “speculates” at annual meeting all brothers in Russia will be released and participate in the November campaign.....

[cricket246]

Perhaps Jehovah is calling all of his sheep safely back into his fold.  

[Dages]

It's awesome ! So happy for him and his wife !

[Ludwika]

Wonderful news! Thank you Jehovah! 

[Tortuga]

36 minutes ago, The German said:

replaced his unexpired part of the prison term with a fine of 400,000 rubles

That is $5812.00 USD

[molnarj]

https://www.jw.org/en/news/jw/

 

[Allabord4Jah]

I've burst into tears!  What fantastic NEWS!!! Jehovah set him free, hope the rest go to, and yes, maybe for our campaign this NOV!  Thank you Jehovah!!!

[felito]

[runner92]

Beautiful! Praise Jehovah!

[boodles]

Why is he fined if he didn't do anything wrong? 

[Skye]

From heaven you will thunder

and give forth your voice.

Your enemies will quake;
your servants will rejoice.

You prove to be whatever you need to be;

all will see

How you provide escape.

 

(CHORUS)

Jehovah provides escape for the loyal.

His servants will see what a mighty Crag is he.

So with courage and faith in our God,

we spread the fame

Of Jehovah, our Source of escape,

and praise his name.

[Jothob]

Just read it on our website....yay! Great news. So happy he’ll finally be back with his wife It must have been so hard for her too....

[Thomas Walker]

Ten days. I know I'm a cynic, but that's enough time for a higher-level judge to recant. I hope not, but let's be honest: It's not like complying with the law has meant anything to them so far.

[runner92]

9 minutes ago, Thomas Walker said:

Ten days. I know I'm a cynic, but that's enough time for a higher-level judge to recant. I hope not, but let's be honest: It's not like complying with the law has meant anything to them so far.

I understand the concern, but I’m sure they wouldn’t have posted this update if there was a big chance of this happening. 

Edited June 23, 2020 by runner92

[Thomas Walker]

1 minute ago, runner92 said:

I understand the concern, but I’m sure they wouldn’t have posted this update if there was a big chance of this happening. 

Likely true, but I have a keen sense of the 'ironic tragedy'.

[Stormswift]

48 minutes ago, boodles said:

Why is he fined if he didn't do anything wrong? 

We live in an unjust system ... but everything belongs to Jehovah and I'm sure he will move things to lessen the burden on this gorgeous couple.

[Dustparticle]

All 

 

Don’t forget that Russia part of the KOTN. It still hates Jehovah’s people. That campaign in November might be cancelled, because numbers of the virus is going up even in Russia. 

[zoebarry]

A new Breaking News Alert on the JW app!

 

BREAKING NEWS | Russian Court Grants Brother Dennis Christensen Early Release

 

On June 23, 2020, the Lgovskiy District Court in the Kursk Region granted Brother Dennis Christensen early release. At the prosecution’s request, the judge mitigated the remainder of Brother Christensen’s sentence to a fine of 400,000 rubles ($5,759 U.S.). The decision will take effect in ten days, after which he will be able to go home to his wife, family, and fellow worshippers. All praise goes to Jehovah!

[zoebarry]

Here is the secular newspaper coverage.

 

Washington Times

 

A Russian court has issued an early release for a Jehovah’s Witness who was convicted under the nation’s “extremist” law for his faith.

A judge in the Lgovskiy District Court in southwestern Russia on Tuesday released Dennis Christensen from prison, three years into a six-year sentence.

 

[tekmantwo]

1 hour ago, boodles said:

Why is he fined if he didn't do anything wrong? 

It's Russia....

[JPLMcW]

thanks and praise to our heavenly Father Jehovah 💐. : these are all my emotions of how so happy, so thrilled 

[Victoria]

11 hours ago, Dustparticle said:

All 

 

Don’t forget that Russia part of the KOTN. It still hates Jehovah’s people. That campaign in November might be cancelled, because numbers of the virus is going up even in Russia. 

I agree. 

I am really happy for brother Dennis and his family!

But the court ordered to release him because he has served more than a half of his time. They don't say he is not guilty. Same can happen to other brothers, bu not very soon. 

[campanula]

He is exhausted,  half dead and fined but he is alive. And this is most important. 

Will he stay in Russia or go back home? 

 

[Thesauron]

He is exhausted,  half dead and fined but he is alive. And this is most important. 
Will he stay in Russia or go back home? 
 

His wife and her family are Russian. He has lived in Russia for many years. It is not certain he considers any other place ‘home.’