Global rights watchdog Human Rights Watch has condemned the banning of the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses by Russia. It made the condemnation shortly after the Russian Supreme Court ruled against Jehovah’s Witnesses on Thursday.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling to shut down the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia is a terrible blow to freedom of religion and association in Russia,” Rachel Denber, the New York-based group’s Deputy Europe and Central Asia Director, said in a statement.

“Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia are now given the heartrending choice of either abandoning their faith or facing punishment for practicing it,” she added.

The Russian Supreme Court had ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an “extremist” group and ordered their Russian property turned over to the government.

Ruling on a case brought by Russia’s Justice Ministry, Supreme Court Judge Yuri Ivanenko declared the denomination’s Administrative Center, its head office in Russia, an “extremist organisation” and, on that basis, ordered the Christian organisation in Russia “dissolved” and its activities banned.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have described the ruling as premeditated and indicated that it will be appealed.

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