Photo via kaluzhskoe.ru

Russia: Governor orders Pentecostal Church land grab

Apparently unaware that he was giving a public address, the governor of Kaluga Region has ordered that land legally owned by Word of Life Pentecostal Church be seized by "any" means, Forum 18 News Service has learnt.

The order, made at a recent local government meeting broadcast live via the regional administration's website, has been captured and posted on the internet by a church member. No official was prepared to comment to Forum 18.

Word of Life has complained of frequent bureaucratic harassment ever since its land and building became an impediment to shopping mall construction plans in Kaluga. In Udmurtia, Philadelphia Pentecostal Church is the latest congregation to report similar bureaucratic obstruction, which state officials usually insist is lawful and routine. Such problems are usually encountered by Protestants, who are more likely to have unsecured worship premises.

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TAGS: Russia Pentecostal Church land grab Word of Life shopping mall bureaucratic harassment

[02/28/2009]

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