It was reported in early March that communities who exercise freedom of religion or belief in public without Russian state permission may find their members facing five-figure rouble fines if they do not inform the local authorities in advance.
Café Bible study
It is possible that changes to the Religion Law may have a positive effect on cases currently before the courts, such as that of a Sochi Protestant leader fined for holding prayers and a Bible study in a rented café. The FSB security service was behind that case, sending officials to attend the meeting.
However, a new Criminal Code Article 212.1 may have a chilling effect on exercising freedom of religion or belief in public. The Sochi Bible study group has ceased to meet, fearing prosecution under this Article.
