The Rev. Vladimir Rytikov reportedly faces expulsion from his birthplace in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine after authorities accused him of “illegal missionary activity” and cancelled his residence permit, a rights watchdog reports.
Officials from the Russian-controlled Migration Service arrived at Rytikov’s home in Krasnodon (Sorokyne), Luhansk Oblast on March 21 and told him they had annulled his permit and that he must leave within two weeks, reported Forum 18.
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The rights monitor reported that authorities suggested he leave for another country, including Poland.
‘Driven out’
Rytikov has led a Council of Churches Baptist congregation in the city for about 30 years. “I was born here and have lived here for [nearly] 67 years, now I’m being driven out,” he told Forum 18.
Authorities based their decision on his leadership of an unregistered Baptist congregation. Courts have repeatedly fined him under Russian Administrative Code Article 5.26 for conducting “missionary activity.” Officials intensified pressure earlier in March. On March 9, acting police chief Aleksei Mikhailovsky summoned Rytikov to appear at a police station on March 19 to face charges. On March 11, three officers went to his home and demanded that he go immediately. When he refused and pointed to the summons date, officers grabbed him and forced him into a car without his identity documents before preparing a case against him, according to Forum 18.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jack Bethel and originally published by Christian Daily International.
