Churches to Russia: We're not leaving
Several religious denominations remain defiant in the face of new laws that would ban them from proselytizing in Russia.
The so-called “Yarovaya laws” make it illegal to preach, proselytize, or hand out religious materials outside of specially designated places. The laws also give the Russian government wide scope in monitoring and recording electronic messages and phone calls.
The package of laws, billed as antiterrorism measures, was passed by the Russian Duma, or parliament, in June and signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier in July.
