Duma rejects restrictions on foreign missionary groups in Russia

The Russian State Duma on Friday rejected an initiative put forward by the Krasnodar territory's Legislative Assembly seeking restrictions on the activities of foreign missionary organizations in the country.

Krasnodar legislature deputies said that these amendments, which they wanted to be introduced as part of Russia's law on freedom of conscience and religious organizations, were aimed at "alleviating the negative consequences caused by foreign religious organizations' missionary activities and other measures, as well as at guaranteeing religious security in Russia."