Case of Ponomarenko and others in Luchegorsk Anton Virich

 RUSSIA

Case of Ponomarenko and others in Luchegorsk

Anton Virich

Updated: August 2, 2023

Name: Virich, Anton Aleksandrovich

Date of Birth: March 31, 1980

Current status: accused

Article of the Russian Criminal Code: 282.2(1)

Time spent in prison: 4 days in temporary holding facility, 18 days in detention center

Current restrictions: detention center.

Biography

Anton Virich realized as a child that hatred and cruelty were unacceptable for him, so he gave up aggressive sports. Now, in July 2023, Russian law enforcement officers accused him of extremism. Because of his peace-loving convictions - faith in Jehovah God - the man ended up in a pre-trial detention center.

Anton was born in 1980 in the city of Pervouralsk (Sverdlovsk region), he has an older sister. At the age of 6, his father gave Anton to judo classes. Five years later, the boy decided to leave this sport, as it contradicted his kind and sensitive nature. Often, the coach forced him to fight not only with boys, but also with women, in order to "see all enemies." Such views were unacceptable to Anton.

He also attended art school, loved skiing, dousing himself in cold water, and once took part in the city running marathon. In addition, Anton liked to do carpentry work. He graduated from a construction school with a red diploma, where he learned to be a welder, and went to work at a factory. Then he worked as a sales manager, and later he was engaged in finishing apartments.

Anton, having got acquainted with Jehovah's Witnesses, saw how the Bible changes people for the better, and went deep into its study. Having fallen in love with God, she and her mother decided to become Jehovah's Witnesses. Later, their father joined them.

In June 2007, Anton married Lilia, who shares his views on life. In the Bible, she was attracted by common sense, logic and practicality. Spouses love to walk together in nature, read books and paint oil paintings. Anton is still involved in sports - running and strength training.

The criminal prosecution of Anton and his imprisonment in a pre-trial detention center affected the emotional state of the whole family. The mother of a believer shared: “We are outraged by the attitude of the authorities towards our son. We brought him up with high moral standards. He always showed love and kindness to us and those around him, was sensitive and attentive, responsive to other people's pain and problems, a law-abiding, honest person. And we don’t understand why our son is being prosecuted.” Anton's mother-in-law emphasized: “This is unfair! He is a wonderful, kind, gentle and sympathetic person! I know that Anton suffers not for a crime, but for his loyalty to God. Whatever happens in the future, I am sure that my son-in-law will stand any test with dignity.

Brief history of the case

In July 2021, Yuriy Ponomarenko's house was searched in Luchegorsk. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against him on suspicion of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. In November of the same year, as part of the Ponomarenko case, a new search was carried out - in the home of Oleg Sergeyev. He was charged under the same article. In March 2022, 2 more defendants appeared in the case. Andrei Lyakhov and Nikolai Dikhtyar were charged with participation in the activities of an extremist organization. In June 2022, the criminal case against the believers went to court.

Criminal case

Region:

Primorye Territory

Locality:

Luchegorsk

Case number:

12102050012000058

Initiated:

July 16, 2021

Current stage of the case:

trial in court of first instance

Investigating:

Investigation Department for the city of Dalnerechensk

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1), 282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-22/2023 (1-197/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Pozharsky District Court of Primorsky Krai

Judge of the Court of First Instance:

Mikhail Atroshko