In Primorye, Valery Vyaznikov, a retired miner, received a suspended sentence for believing in Jehovah God

 RUSSIA


In Primorye, Valery Vyaznikov, a retired miner, received a suspended sentence for believing in Jehovah God

November 7, 2023 Primorye Territory


On November 7, 2023, judge of the Pozharsky District Court of the Primorsky Territory Nina Kalashnik found Valery Vyaznikov guilty of participating in extremist activities - this is how the confession of faith in Jehovah is interpreted. A peaceful 59-year-old believer from the village of Chegdomyn was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months probation.


“My conscience is clear before God, people and the court. It is because I am trying to convey life-saving truths from the Word of God that I am now being judged,” the believer said in his last word. Although there are no victims or evidence of extremist actions in the case, the prosecutor asked Vyaznikov to be sentenced to 3 years probation with restriction of freedom for 1 year. The verdict can be appealed.


The investigation department for Dalnerechensk of the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee for the Primorsky Territory opened a criminal case against Valery Vyaznikov in July 2021, almost 1.5 years later it was brought to court in Luchegorsk, located more than 1000 kilometers from the believer’s place of residence. The charges were based on recordings of conversations on biblical topics between informants-operatives and believers. Vyaznikov was allowed to participate in most hearings via video conferencing from the local courthouse located in the village of Chegdomyn.


Since December 2022, Vyaznikov, the father of four children (two of them minors), has been under recognizance not to leave. Talking about the difficulties associated with the persecution, Valery says: “The most difficult thing was to find out that I had been put on the wanted list in absentia, and then to receive a summons. A message and the expectation of something unpleasant always weighs heavily on the heart. My wife and children were very worried.” The believer has health problems; during the criminal prosecution he underwent surgery.


In total , 58 Jehovah's Witnesses are being persecuted on similar charges in the Primorsky Territory. The convictions of 25 of them have already entered into force, three are serving sentences in colonies.


Such a number of criminal cases for faith in the region causes bewilderment among both Russian and foreign human rights activists. Willy Fautre, founder and director of Brussels-based Human Rights Without Borders, said : “Jehovah's Witnesses are the religious group that has suffered the most persecution in Russia since they were banned in 2017, thus depriving them of freedom of communication, assembly, worship and sermons. Statistics on the scale of repression are alarming. Freedom of religion or belief is the cornerstone of all freedoms."


Vyaznikov case in Luchegorsk


Brief history of the case


In September 2018, law enforcement officers began operational search activities against Jehovah’s Witnesses from Luchegorsk. Infiltrated operatives feigning interest in the Bible recorded their conversations with believers. In July 2021, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case in which Valery Vyaznikov from the village of Chegdomyn was accused of extremism for discussing the Bible with others. In December 2022, the case was transferred to a court located 1,000 kilometers from the believer’s place of residence. He was allowed to participate in most meetings via video conferencing. On November 7, 2023, the court sentenced Valery to a suspended sentence of two and a half years.


Criminal case


Region:

Primorye Territory

Locality:

Luchegorsk

What is suspected:

“Involved a resident of Luchegorsk in the activities of the religious organization Jehovah’s Witnesses”

Criminal case number:

42202050012000036

Initiated:

July 16, 2021

Current stage of the case:

trial in appellate court

Investigates:

Investigative Department for Dalnerechensk Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Primorsky Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)

Court case number:

1-88/2023 (1-317/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Pozharsky District Court of Primorsky Krai

Judge of the trial court:

Nina Kalashnik


In the photo: Valery Vyaznikov near the Pozharsky District Court of the Primorsky Territory, October 2023.

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