Russia deports two Latter-Day Saints missionaries jailed for three weeks on unclear charges

Two American members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were jailed by Russian authorities for three weeks have been deported back to the U.S., church leaders said in a statement.

Church officials had assailed the Russians' arrest and detention of the men as disturbing and unwarranted. Russian officials have not publicly accused the two men, but the father of one of them told reporters in the U.S. that they had been charged with teaching English without a license. The father said the charge was untrue, and that the two men were playing games in English with others at a meeting house Friday night, but they were not holding a class.

In a statement sent Wednesday, church spokesman Eric Hawkins said: “The two volunteers detained in Novorossiysk, Russia have been released and have left the country… While in detention, the volunteers were treated very well and maintained regular contact with their families and mission president. The Church is closely monitoring conditions in Russia for all volunteers and will continue to fully comply with Russian law.”

Hawkins identified the two volunteers as Kole Brodowski, age 20, who he said was nearing the end of his service, and David Gaag, age 19.

Hawkins said Brodowski was returning to his home in California, and that Gaag would return to the United States briefly, then “continue his service in a new mission. “

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The church refers to the two men as volunteers, not missionaries, as it customarily does, because Russia does not permit proselytizing.

Russian officials had told reporters who asked about the two volunteers that they were unaware of the detentions, according to published reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference in Moscow, "I don't have this information,” and told reporters to contact other officials about the matter.

The Fox affiliate station in Salt Lake City quoted a man identified only as Chris, and a former religious volunteer, as saying that Russia is inhospitable to those of various religions.

"To say it's a place that you're not welcomed is an understatement," the man was quoted as saying. “I think police are just like anyone on the street: They have their own prejudices and they have their own bias and if they already know in their mind that public enemy number one are these 'Sektanti,' these religious inter-groups that aren't Russian Orthodox, they're already going to have their guard up, so any excuse to get these people out of their country: they're going to do it.”

Russia officially recognized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1991.

Russia is still detaining U.S. investment fund manager Michael Calvey, which has rattled the country's business community and spooked international investors.

Calvey, a veteran investor who co-founded private equity firm Baring Vostok in 1994, was detained last month along with five others in Moscow on charges of embezzlement. He has denied wrongdoing.

Also in jail in Russia is former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who faces espionage charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 28, according to CBS News.  Whelan denies the charges against him.