In Russia, members of a spiritual group persecuted in China are facing increasing levels of discrimination by their own government. The main text of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, was recently named an extremist publication by Russia's Ministry of Justice. That means if people are found selling or even owning the book, they could be fined. Here's more on the story. STORY: The Russian Falun Dafa Association says this action follows a pattern of discrimination against the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners in Russia. [Sun Lezhi, Russian Falun Dafa Association]: The decision of the court in Krasnodar and the actions of Ministry of Justice are illegal and baseless, we dont acknowledge it and are going to file an appeal. The main text of Falun Gong, titled Zhuan Falun, has been translated into more than 40 languages. The Russian version was published 10 years ago and was approved by the Russian Ministry of Education in 2000. The text teaches people to be compassionate, tolerant, and truthful. [Irina Oshirova, Russian Falun Dafa Association]: I have been cultivating for about 12 years. From Zhuan Falun I realized a lot of things: Why I have to be compassionate and clean-living in this life; why I cant lie or steal, why I cant retaliate when I am hit or sworn at, why I should look within when a conflict happens, and why I shouldnt criticize others. Author of the Book Mr. Li Hongzhi was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize. [Sun Lezhi, Russian Falun Dafa Association]: The book is about how to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. After reading this book many pepple have quit using drugs and alcohol and stopped smoking. This book can help raise the morality of human society, and it has been published around the world. It brings society 100 percent good, and no harm. [Julyana Kim, practitioner of Falun Gong from Moscow]: "I have benefitted a lot physically from the practice of Falun Gong. By now, I have practically forgotten about all the illnesses I used to suffer from, such as osteochondrosis and pharyngitis". Lawyer Mikhail Sinitsyn is helping Falun Dafa followers to resolve matters concerning the violation of their human rights. In his opinion, the court deliberately did not invite practitioners of Falun Gong to participate in the proceedings, because they would have proven to the court the positive influence of Falun Dafa on the spiritual and physical state of practitioners. [Mikhail Sinitsyn, Lawyer]: This court hearing violates the rights of Russian practitioners of Falun Dafa for free access to information, and the right to act according to their belief. Sinitsyn added that neither the prosecutors office nor the Ministry of Justice made any direct claims against Falun Dafa. [Sun Lezhi, Russian Falun Dafa Association: Over the past four years the Chinese communist regime has been spreading slander about Falun Gong in Russia and exporting its persecution overseas, trying to win the Russian government over with economic benefits and trade deals. Unfortunately, Russian authorities have accepted its slander and lies and help spread them. Also added to the list of extremist publications in Russia was a detailed investigative report by Canadians David Kilgour and David Matas on the practice of live harvesting of organs of Falun Gong adherents in China. [Sun Lezhi, Russian Falun Dafa Association]: Therefore, I think that the court decision and the actions of Ministry of justice turn the principles of good and evil upside down. Think about it, if society cannot tell good from evil, it will face great danger. I believe that the Chinese Communist regime will end soon, just like the Communist party of Soviet Union ended. I would not like the Russian government to be an accomplice in the crimes of the CCP. I wish for the well-being and a good future for the Russian nation. An appeal by Russian Falun Gong practitioners against the judgment of the Krasnodar Court will be filed in the near future. NTDTV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wepf9y67Oq4 https://goo.gl/oEy1KY