Release International reports on the Big Brother law linking Christians with terrorists. Law comes into force July 20.

Release International

A new law which could impose heavy fines on Russian Christians who share their faith comes into force on July 20.

Christian leaders in Russia warn the anti-terrorism law sets Russia back on the path to Soviet-style repression and will pave the way for persecution.

The new law will curtail preaching, teaching and sharing the faith. It will prevent Christians from informing others about their beliefs in their homes, online and in the open-air and will impose punitive fines. A Russian Christian lawyer has warned that any conversation about God with a non-believer would be seen as illegal missionary activity.

The head of the Protestant churches in Russia, Sergei Ryakhovsky, said the law 'creates the basis for the mass persecution of believers'.

In an open letter on Portal-Credo, a Russian-language religious website, he wrote: 'Soviet history shows us how many people of different faiths have been persecuted for spreading the word of God. This law brings us back to a shameful past.'

The law was passed almost unanimously by the Russian Duma [Assembly] and approved by President Putin on July 6. It comes into force on July 20.

The penalties are 50,000 roubles for an individual - that's around six weeks' wages - and fines of up to 1 million roubles for an organisation.

The law, which allows the internet surveillance of suspects, has been widely condemned both inside and outside Russia.

Some observers have dubbed it the 'Big Brother' law and warn of 'creeping totalitarianism' that poses a threat to church workers. They fear it will open the way to a state clampdown on the growing number of house churches. Some describe the law as the most restrictive since the days of the Soviet Union.

'Put yourself in the shoes of ordinary Russian Christians,' says Paul Robinson, the chief executive of Release International, which works with persecuted Christians around the world.

'You invite your neighbour to a Christian home group. You send an email to confirm that. You've just broken the law - twice. From July 20 Russia intends to treat ordinary Christians in the same way as potential terrorists.

'This law limits where Christians can meet and how they can tell others about their faith. Church leaders are warning of a return to the bad old Soviet era when the church was driven underground.'

The European Evangelical Alliance has called for prayer for Russia's Christians. It says the law will restrict those who are permitted to share their faith to named members of official organisations. It will prohibit any discussion about faith outside of a registered religious building, and forbid any sharing of the faith in private homes or over social media.

Pentecostal Deputy Bishop Konstantin Bendas said a police officer near Moscow has threatened 'Now they're adopting the law, I will drive you all out of here.' The Bishop estimated there were more than 1,000 house churches in Moscow, which could soon be under threat, according to human rights organisation Forum 18.

Bishop Konstantin warned, 'We must assume there will be repression and persecution.'

'Many believers will find themselves in exile and subject to reprisals,' wrote Seventh-Day Adventist spokesman Oleg Goncharov in an open letter.

The new law extends a clampdown that began in 1997 against all forms of Christianity other than the official Orthodox Church, which has become associated with Russian nationalism.

Release International was set up nearly 50 years ago in response to the then Communist crackdown on Christianity. 'It looks alarmingly as though Russia is reverting to type,' says Paul Robinson of Release.

'Our message to President Putin is please don't confuse Christians with terrorists. Think again, sir, about this law and its consequences for ordinary Russian believers.'

Russian Christians have been fasting and praying. Paul Robinson is calling on Christians in the UK to stand with them in prayer. 'Let's pray that they will have freedom in Russia to share their faith. And let us cherish and use the freedom we have here to share our faith and to raise our voices on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Russia.'

The next step for Russian church leaders will be to try to persuade the new deputies elected to the Russian Duma in September to amend the law. Christian lawyers are also preparing to appeal to the Constitutional Court.