Appeal in Kemerovo Upholds Suspended Sentence for Faith for Vladimir Baykalov

 RUSSIA


Appeal in Kemerovo Upholds Suspended Sentence for Faith for Vladimir Baykalov

February 22, 2024 Kemerovo Region


On February 21, 2024, Vladimir Baykalov's sentence — six years suspended for talking about the Bible — came into force by decision of the judge of the Kemerovo Regional Court Natalya Vorobyeva. The believer still insists on his innocence of extremism and has the right to appeal this decision to the court of cassation.


During the trial, Vladimir Baykalov stated: "It became obvious that I was convicted not for any extremist actions or statements, but for my peaceful religious beliefs, for faith not prohibited by law, which is expressed in the fact that I pray to God, read, study and apply the Holy Scriptures in my life for the benefit of people and society." In his appeal, Baykalov pointed out that reading sacred texts, participating in joint worship services, and participating in the life of the community are among the ways of expressing faith and cannot be considered a crime in themselves.


In the Kemerovo region, 18 of Jehovah's Witnesses have already faced persecution for their faith.


Case of Baikalov in Kemerovo


Case history


In February 2022, a criminal case was opened against Vladimir Baykalov from Kemerovo simply because he is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The next day, the Investigative Committee authorized a search of the believer’s home. He was accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. According to the investigation, Baykalov’s extremist actions consisted in communicating on biblical topics via video conferencing. In November 2022, the case went to court. The prosecutor requested seven years in prison for the believer, but in November 2023 the judge sentenced him to six years suspended. Four months later, the appeal upheld this verdict.


Criminal case


Region:

Kemerovo Region

Locality:

Kemerovo

Suspected of:

According to the investigation, he conducted conversations through video conferencing with an indefinite circle of people, "during which he promoted the activities of an extremist organization."

Court case number:

12202320003000010

Initiated:

February 2, 2022

Current case stage:

The verdict entered into force

Investigating:

SO in the Zavodskoy district of Kemerovo of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Kemerovo region - Kuzbass

Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Court case number:

1-82/2023 (1-982/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Zavodsky District Court of Kemerovo

 Judge of the Court of First Instance:

 Marina Romanina


In the photo: Vladimir Baykalov with his wife on the day of the appeal, Kemerovo, 2024.

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