RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Jehovah`s Witnesses faith denies joining military services and condemn war but this faith is considered an extremist organization by Russian Federation.
In this regard, as Stuff reported, a Russian couple facing deportation from New Zealand have sought refugee status so that the husband wouldn’t be sent to war in Ukraine, which goes against their religion.
The couple, aged in their 40s and 50s, sought refugee status before the Immigration and Protection Tribunal in October 2022, according to a recently released judgment.
They feared deportation to Russia would see them persecuted due to their Jehovah’s Witness faith.
The husband may also be liable for forcible conscription, which he would refuse on the grounds that Jehovah’s Witnesses condemn war and oppose serving in the military.
“This would result in him being imprisoned, mistreated and then sent to the front line in any event. He fears he would be returned in a coffin, like his nephew who has been killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the judgment read.
The couple arrived in New Zealand on visitor visas in 2019, wanting a break from the Russian authorities, whom they feared after the police raided and arrested a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses during a meeting at their friend’s apartment.
On the day the couple learnt their visas had been approved, the husband was accosted on the street by two police officers who beat and threatened him, the couple said.
“They accused him of being a follower of an undesirable religious organization. The officers then tore his Bible,” the judgment read.