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TO EXPRESS THE GREAT CONCERN OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE WELFARE OF PASTOR PHILLIP MILES, OF CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH IN HORRY COUNTY, WHO IS BEING UNJUSTLY DETAINED IN A RUSSIAN PRISON, AND TO INSIST IN THE STRONGEST TERMS THAT THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT RELEASE PASTOR MILES FROM HIS IMPRISONMENT.
Whereas, Pastor Phillip Miles, of Christ Community Church in Horry County, has been unjustly detained in a Russian prison for the past three months; and
Whereas, in late January, Pastor Miles and some fellow church members flew into Moscow on their way to Perm, Siberia, to visit local pastors and their families. Pastor Miles, an avid hunter, decided to take a gift of rifle bullets for one of the pastors who was also a hunter; and
Whereas, on Pastor Miles's way through Moscow at the start of the trip, the bullets were confiscated, and he was allowed to go on his way. However, upon his return through Moscow, he was detained and questioned regarding the bullets; and
Whereas, because he did not properly declare the bullets at customs, Pastor Miles was investigated for smuggling and trafficking, an unjust charge since rifle bullets are not illegal in Russia; and
Whereas, on Monday, April 21, at the conclusion of his trial, Pastor Miles was found guilty of smuggling the box of bullets and was sentenced to more than three years in prison by Judge Olga Drozdova, who ignored Pastor Miles's pleas for mercy and said she could not suspend Russian customs law in the evangelist's case; and
Whereas, Pastor Miles's history and reputation make it abundantly clear that he was not attempting to commit any crime at all, and in such a case, justice demands that he be speedily released. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express the great concern of the South Carolina General Assembly for the welfare of Pastor Phillip Miles, of Christ Community Church in Horry County, who is being unjustly detained in a Russian prison, and insist in the strongest terms that the Russian government release Pastor Miles from his imprisonment.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, Russian Judge Olga Drozdova, and Christ Community Church in Conway.
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