The Appeal in Kemerovo Upheld the Sentence of Lyubov Serebryakova, 72. She Got 4 years Suspended

 RUSSIA


The Appeal in Kemerovo Upheld the Sentence of Lyubov Serebryakova, 72. She Got 4 years Suspended

September 8, 2023 Kemerovo Region


On September 5, 2023, the Kemerovo Regional Court upheld the verdict of of Lyubov Serebryakova, 72, who was sentenced to 4 years suspended with a probation period of 3 years and restriction of liberty for 10 months for talking about God. The verdict may be appealed in cassation.


In her appeal, Lyubov Serebryakova pointed out the mistakes that, in her opinion, were made by the court of first instance. For example, the verdict does not describe the specific extremist actions in which the prosecution believed she had participated. The dates, times and places of any extremist actions and their role in the continuation of the activities of the banned organization are not indicated. In addition, the believer notes that "the verdict cannot be based on the assumptions" of prosecution witnesses. Testifying, they explained that they did not know the defendant and had not met her before. One of them is a clergyman of another denomination, who also could not confirm anything of what the pensioner is accused of.


Before the start of the unfair criminal prosecution, Lyubov experienced two heart attacks, and shortly before the completion of the pre-trial investigation, she again needed emergency cardiac care.


Russian courts have already convicted 85 Jehovah's Witnesses over the age of 60. Of these, 21 believers received a real term of imprisonment, 12 people are in colonies at the moment.


The case of Serebryakova in Novokuznetsk


Brief history of the case


In the summer of 2021, searches were conducted at Jehovah's Witnesses in Novokuznetsk. A year later, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against pensioner Lyubov Serebryakova, and she was given a written undertaking not to leave. The investigation found the believer guilty of extremism for attending services of Jehovah's Witnesses and talking about the Bible. Worries about criminal prosecution worsened the woman’s already poor health. In August 2022, the case went to trial. About a year later, the believer was sentenced to 4 years probation, although the prosecutor requested a year less. The appeal upheld this verdict.


Criminal case


Region:

Kemerovo Region

Locality:

Novokuznetsk

What is suspected:

“personally promoted the activities of the organization and its ideological guidelines”, “participated in missionary activities”, “participated in meetings of followers of the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses, preaching the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses” (from the decision to bring her as an accused)

Criminal case number:

12202320010000262

Initiated:

July 8, 2022

Current stage of the case:

verdict took effect

Investigates:

Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)

Court case number:

1-21/2023 (1-269/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Kuznetsky District Court of Novokuznetsk

Judge of the trial court:

Olga Chaika

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