Drearyweather: Just to confirm here, in the Registered trust deed of my congregation, they have mentioned that the congregation adheres to the biblical teaching and doctrines of the Ecclesiastical Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses and that they are responsible to the creator, Jehovah God. No mention about the country's branch office. So legally, my congregation has no relation with the local branch office.
The following document, in the introduction, establishes the relationship between each congregation and the JW branch office in each country. The evidence is admissable in Russia, and this also is the same setup in Russia as the instructions come from the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. The evidence was firmly established by an Australian Royal Commission.