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Kazakhstan Court Reduces Sentence of Unification Church Missionary

By Howard M. Friedman

In a case that has drawn the attention of international human rights groups, an appeals court in Kazakhstan has reduced the sentence of Unification Church missionary Liza Drenicheva from two years in prison to the two months she has already served. She must also pay a fine of $200 (US) and court costs of $800 (US). Today's Washington Times says that Drenicheva, who had been convicted of a "crime against peace and security of humankind" is now free to return home to Russia. The Unification Church says the woman was merely teaching its views on the doctrine of original sin when she was charged with claiming that certain groups were inferior based on their "tribal and class identity." The Unification Church is still considering an appeal in the case in order to establish the right of its missionaries to operate in the mostly-Muslim nation. Kazakhstan's treatment of minority religious groups has been an ongoing concern as the country prepares to chair the OSCE next year. (See prior related posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 11, 2009 (boomark / email).