GORNO-ALTAISK, Russia, April 19 (UPI) -- A Jehovah's Witnesses leader has been acquitted in the Russian Republic of Altai of distributing extremist literature published by the religious group.
A court in Gorno-Altaisk found Friday there was not enough evidence to convict Alexander Kalistratov, 34, RIA Novosti reported. But prosecutors said Tuesday they plan to appeal the verdict.
"We categorically disagree with Kalistratov's acquittal and will lodge an appeal with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Altai to order new hearings of this case," a spokesman said.
The Jehovah's Witnesses, which has about 200,000 members in Russia, has been banned in a number of regions and republics. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that a court decision in 2004 outlawing the group in Moscow is illegal.
Kalistratov faced 160 hours of community service if convicted of distributing literature promoting religious hatred.
Altai is on Russia's southern border with Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China as neighbors.
