Russian Court Reverses Extremism Conviction of Jehovah's Witness Leader

In Russia, the Altai Republic Supreme Court on Thursday reversed the religious extremism conviction of a local Jehovah's Witness leader.  RAPSI reports that the Supreme Court cancelled the Gorno-Altaysk City Court's judgment against Alexander Kalistratov, a head of Altai branch of Jehovah's Witnesses who had been sentenced to 100 hours of community service after he published and distributed 48 articles aimed at discrediting other religions.  The Supreme Court said that Kalistratov's actions do not constitute a crime.  The conviction that was under review came only after a second trial. Initially the local court acquitted, the Supreme Court reversed the acquittal and Kalisrtatov was convicted upon retrial. (RAPSI 11/3).