New disruption of worship services and planting of extremist materials in Birobidzhan

On January 26, 2016, in the center of Birobidzhan, about 15 people, some with weapons and masks, interrupted a worship service held by 150 Jehovah's Witnesses in a hall rented by one of the believers. Without presenting a warrant, police officers and the FSB Directorate for the Jewish Autonomous Region inspected the premises and "found" a package with materials included in the list of extremist materials. The believers have evidence that the package was brought and planted near the entrance to the hall, and they intend to appeal against the actions of the officials. In recent years, planting tactics have become widespread in relation to Jehovah's Witnesses communities throughout Russia. In Birobidzhan, a similar incident took place on October 8, 2015.