Faith groups in Russia claim they are losing their places of worship due to local legislation.

Up to 90 per cent of locations that are places of worship are recorded officially as residential properties, reports Evangelical Focus, under Russian laws that locals have called complex and inconsistently applied.

As a result of these hurdles, religious communities in the country are not being allowed to construct new churches or mosques. Forum 18 also reports that local authorities are not permitting changes to local planning regulations or the withdrawal of permissions mid-way through the building process.

The problem facing those of faith in Russia is one that is "systemic in nature," according to Vladimir Ozolin, a lawyer for the Moscow-based Slavic Centre for Law and Justice.

The lawyer says that prejudice from the authorities towards protestant Christians can often result when those from a faith background or group refuse to act in accordance with laws and norms of the land.

“Protestant communities find it practically impossible to get permission to build churches. Therefore, believers are forced to conduct worship services in residential buildings," said Ozolin. This is not a violation of the law, resulting in most churches meeting in the homes of their members.

In one instance, a baptist church from Verkhnebakansky, a village in southern European Russia, held services in the front yard and on the street in front of their premises. This occurred because authorities had banned the group from meeting inside their building and sealed their door on July 7, 2019. They had been gathering at the location for 20 years before the doors were sealed.

A member of the church, Yevgeny Kokora, has called the ban a "flagrant violation of the Religion Law and of the Constitution." Kokora also noted that local authorities have not tried to reach out to the congregation in order to reach a solution to their conflict. 

Three attempts to bring together a meeting of the public have been unsuccessful. All attempts were considered to be technical irregularities by the city, and thus disallowed.

At this time, the Baptist community hopes to try and bring another meeting together for next week.