Case of Starikov and others in Konakovo Oleg Katamov

 RUSSIA

Case of Starikov and others in Konakovo

Oleg Katamov

Updated: September 28, 2023

Name: Katamov, Oleg Viktorovich

Date of Birth: January 3, 1962

Current status: accused

Article of the Russian Criminal Code: 282.2 (2)

Biography

Oleg Katamov from Konakovo peacefully practiced his religion for many years, not suspecting that one day he would become a defendant in a criminal case for believing in Jehovah God.

Oleg was born in January 1962 in the city of Konakovo (Tver region). His parents are no longer alive. As a child, Oleg loved to fish, pick mushrooms and berries. After school, he studied as a construction technician. For many years he worked as a stamper at a factory. Recently, he has been cleaning the yard area.

In 1985, Oleg married Larisa, a music teacher. After 5 years, they became interested in Bible teachings together. They were impressed by the fulfillment of the prophecies described in this ancient book and touched by the fact that Christians have the opportunity to turn to God in prayer and learn about him from the Holy Scriptures. In 1991, they decided to embark on the Christian path.

In his free time, Oleg likes to write poems on spiritual topics and, as in childhood, go to mushrooms and berries, and Larisa likes to sing and make flowers from foamiran. The couple have a daughter, Aleksandra, who shares their views on life. She works as a manicurist, knows several languages, loves to cook.

Faced with criminal prosecution, the Katamov family experienced stress. His wife and daughter support Oleg in every possible way.

Brief history of the case

In July 2021, searches were carried out in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in the cities of Konakovo and Ivanovo. 61-year-old Alexander Starikov, who is in the care of his 95-year-old seriously ill father, and 34-year-old Sergei Naumenko, were subject to criminal prosecution. A month earlier, senior investigator of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the Tver region, Sergei Erofeev, opened two criminal cases against believers, accusing them of “organizing the activities of an extremist organization” only for reading the Bible and discussing Christian teachings with residents of the Konakovo region. Starikov and Naumenko were interrogated and released on their own recognizance. Later, both criminal cases were combined into one.

Criminal case

Region:

Tver Region

Locality:

Konakovo

What is suspected:

“using the video conferencing program ZOOM... convened and conducted meetings, carried out preaching activities and disseminated the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses”

Criminal case number:

12107280001075037

Initiated:

June 17, 2021

Current stage of the case:

review of case materials by the accused

Investigates:

Investigative Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the Tver Region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)