Stronger Than Prison Shackles. The Wedding of Jehovah's Witness Sergey Shulyarenko Took Place in The Penal Colony in Blagoveshchensk

 RUSSIA


Stronger Than Prison Shackles. The Wedding of Jehovah's Witness Sergey Shulyarenko Took Place in The Penal Colony in Blagoveshchensk

November 9, 2023 Jewish Autonomous Region


On September 27, 2023, near IK-8 in the Amur Region, a rare for such place festive atmosphere reigned - about 20 people with flowers and gifts gathered for the wedding of prisoner of conscience Sergey Shulyarenko and his bride Marina.


By that day, Shulyarenko had spent almost four months in the colony out of the six years and nine months appointed by the court for his faith. He lives in a barrack for 100 people, studies carpenter-machine operation and attends English classes.


"On the wedding day, fellow believers provided invaluable support and assistance," Marina said. "When we arrived at the colony, we were surprised to see a large support group. Everyone was joyful and happy." According to her, visitors to the colony watched with surprise.


Registration of marriage, which took a little more than five minutes, took place in the presence of the parents of the newlyweds. For this event, Shulyarenko was allowed to dress up accordingly. The colony staff took memorable photographs for Sergey and Marina. Afterward, the couple and their parents celebrated their wedding in the visiting room.


Speaking on how the newlyweds build their family life in spite of the prison shackles, Marina said: "Sergey tries to call as soon as the opportunity arises. We tell each other what interesting things happened to us, mention our problems, news. Every time we share what we need each other to pray for. The letters are also a huge support. We try our best to encourage each other, set each other up for a positive attitude and assure each other of love.


Since the liquidation of Jehovah's Witnesses' legal entities in Russia, criminal prosecution for faith has already changed the lives of almost 800 people, 139 of whom have been sentenced to prison for terms ranging from two to eight years. The international community, including the European Court of Human Rights, considers what is happening illegal and calls on Russia to stop the repression of believers.


The case of Aliyev and Others in Birobidzhan


Brief history of the case


In May 2018, an FSB special operation with the participation of 150 security officials, codenamed “Judgment Day,” took place in the city of Birobidzhan. More than 20 families of Jehovah's Witnesses have become victims of criminal prosecution, among them Alam Aliyev, Valery Kriger, Sergey Shulyarenko, Dmitry Zagulin. The believers were accused of holding joint religious services, which the investigation considered to be organizing the activities of an extremist organization and financing it. They spent more than 5 months in pre-trial detention. In November 2020, the case went to court. The hearings lasted more than 2 years, and in December 2022 the court sentenced Dmitry Zagulin to 3 years and 6 months, Alam Aliyev to 6 years and 6 months, and Sergei Shulyarenko and Valery Kriger to 7 years in prison. The appeal approved the sentences for Zagulin and Aliyev, and reduced the sentences for Shulyarenko and Krieger by 3 months. The wives of three convicts were also subject to criminal prosecution: Svetlana Monis, Tatyana Zagulina and Natalya Kriger . In September 2023, the wedding of Sergei Shulyarenko took place in the colony.


Criminal case


Region:

Jewish Autonomous Region

Locality:

Birobidzhan

What is suspected:

according to investigators, he held religious services together with others, which is interpreted as “organizing the activities of an extremist organization” (with reference to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on the liquidation of all 396 registered organizations of Jehovah’s Witnesses)

Criminal case number:

11807990001000008

Initiated:

May 14, 2018

Current stage of the case:

verdict took effect

Investigates:

Investigative Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the Jewish Autonomous Region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)

Court case number:

No. 1-8/2022 (1-65/2021; 1-609/2020)

Court:

Birobidzhansky District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region

Judge:

Yana Vladimirova


In the photo:Marina with her family on her wedding day in the colony.

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