Franklin Graham: World Summit for Persecuted Christians moved from Moscow to Washington after Russia passes repressive law

Rev. Franklin Graham announced that the anticipated World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians next year would no longer take place in Moscow after Russia passed its repressive law.

Graham took to Facebook to express his dismay as he announced that what he once considered to be "the first event of its kind in Moscow" would no longer be. Instead, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) decided to hold the event on May 10 to 13 in Washington, D.C.

"We were looking forward to this significant event being held in Russia because no one knows modern Christian persecution better than the church that suffered under communist rule," wrote the president and CEO of BGEA on Tuesday.

The 64-year-old evangelical leader blamed Russia's anti-terrorist law for the change of venue and referred to Russia's latest law as one "that severely limits Christians' freedoms."

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law the widely criticized anti-terrorist bill on July 7, a day touted by American whistleblower Edward Snowden as a "dark day for Russia." Snowden also dubbed the repressive bill as the "Big Brother law" because it criminalizes any acts perceived as inciting or agreeing to terrorism and public demonstrations. Also known as "Yarovaya law," after its ultra-conservative chief proponent, Irina Yarovaya, the law obliges telecommunication providers to store records for six months and provide state authorities with decryption keys for messaging services such as Facebook and Telegram.

Religious leaders of various faiths in Russia also criticized the law for banning forms of evangelization without prior state approval and for restricting the church's contact with foreign missionaries.

Graham considered the passing of the law as "another example from a part of the globe that shows how critically we need to have" the Christian event.

"Hundreds of Christian leaders, advocates, and persecution victims from all around the world will come together to address the atrocities being done to those who profess the Name of Jesus Christ," said Graham.

He also urged Christians to pray for fellow Christians who face persecution because of their faith.