Russia: Preacher charged for opposing the war

A preacher in Russia has been banned from leaving his home district and using a phone or the internet, and is being charged with “discrediting” the Russian Armed Forces and state.

Forum 18 says that Eduard Charov, 53, expects to be imprisoned for speaking out against the state and its invasion of Ukraine.

Charov is being charged for comments made online during 2023, including one which asked if Jesus would have “gone to kill” in Ukraine, and another which said that a true patriot strives to improve their country, not someone who justifies “total destitution and corruption.”