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American Pastor being held in Russia for 60 days

A South Carolina pastor detained in Russia early this week after bringing hunting bullets into the country while on a mission trip will be held in a prison there for 60 days while prosecutors investigate smuggling and trafficking charges against him, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

A story written by Robert Morris of The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (www.myrtlebeachonline.com) said that after a formal hearing Friday in Moscow, Pastor Phillip Miles of Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina, will be moved from a temporary airport detainment facility to a prison for the investigation, according to David Aylor, Miles' nephew and a Charleston attorney.

Two Russian attorneys are representing the pastor and the U.S. Embassy is monitoring the situation, but the case is essentially in the Russian prosecutors' hands for two months, Aylor said.

“He's at the mercy of the Russian justice system,” Aylor said. “It's basically at a standstill at this point.”

Morris said that if the case goes forward and Miles is convicted, he faces three to seven years in prison for the smuggling-ammunition charge or up to four years for trafficking in ammunition, said Nicole Thompson, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman.

He went on to say, “Miles' imprisonment began earlier this week as he prepared to return from a mission trip to the city of Perm, at the foot of a mountain range that borders Siberia. On his way into the country in late January, Russian authorities confiscated a box of hunting-rifle bullets, but allowed him to continue his trip.”

“It was a something that was brought as a gift to the Siberian preacher,” Aylor said. “It was something you or I could get from any local ammunition carrier in the United States.”

On his way back through the Moscow airport this week, however, Miles was prevented from returning to the United States as Russian authorities questioned him further. Even after the newly imposed 60 days are up, prosecutors can ask for more time to investigate, Aylor said.

“While the church is disappointed with this temporary setback, we are encouraged that Pastor Miles’ reputation of integrity and character will ultimately lead to his freedom,” read a statement posted on the church's Web site. “Friends in Russia have told the church that his spirits remain high and that those around him have been very impressed with his attitude and demeanor during this difficult time.”

The story said that there has been no indication that Miles' arrest is related to his missionary work, Aylor said. The Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant religion in Russia, and the State Department's 2007 report on International Religious Freedom describes a slight decline in some groups' right to worship in the country, but no particular pattern of harassment against foreign missionaries or evangelical groups was reported.

Because the U.S. Embassy is closely involved in the case, family members are not concerned that any harm will come to Miles in the prison, Aylor said. The pastor, who has a wife and three grown children in Horry County and other close family members throughout the state, has been able to call home since his arrest.

“Considering, he's in good spirits,” Aylor said. “He's a man of faith. He knows the Lord will lead him through this.”

Morris wrote, “Miles' arrest made the front page of the English-language daily Moscow Times, a 35,000-circulation newspaper read by expatriates in the city. The newspaper cites several other international smuggling cases - including those of Soviet-era medals, rare Soviet posters and a turn-of-the-century crucifix - none of which led to prison time.”

“We all come up with crazy ideas for a gift,” wrote Justin Miles, the pastor's son, in a letter to the Russian newspaper. “Please forgive my father for his mistake.”

An updated posted on the church web site on Friday, February 8, 2008, at www.christcommunitychurchonline.com says:

“A formal hearing was held in Pastor Miles' case in Moscow on February 8th.

“At the hearing, the State requested that it be given an additional 60 days to complete its investigation of this case. The request was granted by the court. As a result, Pastor Miles will be held in jail in Moscow during the course of the investigation. While the church is disappointed with this temporary setback, we are encouraged that Pastor Miles' reputation of integrity and character will ultimately lead to his freedom.

“The United States Embassy in Moscow is monitoring this situation and has sent representatives to visit with Pastor Miles. They assure us that he is being treated well and remains in good physical condition. Friends in Russia have told the church that his spirits remain high and that those around him have been very impressed with his attitude and demeanor during this difficult time.

“This website will be updated any time we receive official news about the status of this case. If you hear or read anything about this case that contradicts information on this website, please disregard it.

“The church asks that you continue to remember Phillip and Lynn, their children and extended family, and the church body, in your thoughts and prayers.”

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[02/12/2008]

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