RUSSIA: Orthodox priest tortured, prosecuted for "overt disrespect for society"

On 27 November, National Guard, Investigative Committee, and FSB officers raided an independent Orthodox church in Krasnodar Region. "They'd rummaged through the sanctuary, barbarously turning everything upside down", a church member noted. They arrested the 34-year-old Fr Iona Sigida and held him overnight. Investigators beat him, shocked him with a stun gun, and forcibly shaved him. Officials did not respond to Forum 18's questions about the torture. He is facing criminal charges for posts on