An Appeal in Murmansk Approved the Guilty Verdict but Reduced the Fine for Denis Merkulov

 RUSSIA


An Appeal in Murmansk Approved the Guilty Verdict but Reduced the Fine for Denis Merkulov

July 19, 2023 Murmansk Region


By decision of the Murmansk Regional Court, on July 18, 2023, the conviction of Denis Merkulov, one of Jehovah's Witnesses from Apatity, came into force. At the same time, the appeal reduced the fine - the believer will pay 400,000 rubles instead of 500,000 rubles for the peaceful confession of his faith.


In the appellate court, prosecutor Pavel Zhilinkov sought a tougher sentence, but the judicial panel agreed with the position of the lower court, which imposed a fine on the believer. Merkulov was found guilty of organizing the activities of an extremist organization because he peacefully discussed the Bible amongst friends and held religious services. The believer himself considers the court decision a violation of his right to freedom of religion.


In the Murmansk region, six of Jehovah's Witnesses have already received heavy fines simply for not giving up their beliefs and continuing to practice their religion peacefully. Law enforcement officers in this region, as well as throughout Russia, continue the campaign of persecution of civilians for their faith, despite the condemnation of the world community.


The case of Merkulov in Apatity


Brief history of the case


A broken front door, a broken window and armed security forces — this is how the search took place in the apartment of Denis Merkulov and his wife in July 2021. The Investigative Committee accused a believer from Apatity of organizing the activities of an extremist organization for "performing songs ... and praying to Jehovah God" and "organized confession of faith." Merkulov was detained after interrogation. After a day in the temporary detention facility, he was placed under house arrest for two months, and then the preventive measure was changed to a ban on certain actions. In August 2022, the criminal case went to court. The accusation was based on the testimony of a man who invited Denis to talk about biblical teachings. In March 2023, the court sentenced the believer to a fine of 500,000 rubles. The prosecutor insisted on an appeal, which approved the guilty verdict, but reduced the fine to 400,000 rubles.


Criminal case


Region:

Murmansk Region

Locality:

Apatity

What is suspected:

“organized religious speeches and services through conference calls”, “the study of religious literature and bringing its texts to the participants in the meetings” (from the indictment).

Case number:

12102470003000051

Initiated:

July 19, 2021

Current stage of the case:

verdict took effect

Investigating:

SO for the city of Apatity of the Investigative Department of the RF Investigative Committee for the Murmansk Region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2(1)

Case number in court:

1-1/2023 (1-190/2022)

Court:

Apatity City Court of the Murmansk Region

Judge:

Olga Karulina


In the photo: Denis Merkulov with his wife Natalya March 23, 2023, the day of the verdict

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