Alexander Korolev and Denis Antonov have fully served their sentences for their faith and were released from the colony in Mordovia

 RUSSIA 


Alexander Korolev and Denis Antonov have fully served their sentences for their faith and were released from the colony in Mordovia

June 17, 2024 Mordovia


On June 14, 2024, two Jehovah's Witnesses — 45-year-old Alexander Korolev and 47—year-old Denis Antonov - were released from correctional colony No. 12 in Mordovia. They were joyfully greeted by family and friends.


The court sentenced the men to 2.5 years in prison in August 2022. They were in pre-trial detention for about 5 months, and spent 1 year and 5 months in the colony. Taking into account their stay in the detention center, they have fully served their punishment for their faith. In the colony, Korolev was sent to the punishment cell three times.


The criminal case against Korolev and Antonov was opened in March 2019. Due to criminal prosecution and imprisonment, Denis Antonov lost his business. His wife Olga's elderly mother was also in his care. All this time, Denis and his family were supported by their co-religionists. "My wife and I have everything we need and even more," Denis Antonov said during the court proceedings.


Three more believers remain in custody in this criminal case: Georgy and Elena Nikulin, as well as Vladimir Atryakhin. Elena will have to serve another 2 years and 2 months of her sentence, George — 1 year and 7 months, and Vladimir — 3 years and 9 months.


In total, 9 people have already been subjected to religious persecution in Mordovia.


The case of Shevchuk et al. in Saransk


A brief history of the case


In February 2019, in Saransk, the FSB opened a criminal case against three believers on suspicion of extremism. After mass searches, Vladimir Atryakhin, the father of two young children, as well as Alexander Shevchuk and Georgy Nikulin ended up in jail, where they spent from 2 to 5 months. Later, 3 more defendants appeared in the case — Alexander Korolev, Elena Nikulina and Denis Antonov. The case went to court in May 2021. The defense side managed to show the court several times that the declassified witness Vlasov was giving false testimony. In August 2022, the believers were convicted: Vladimir Atryakhin was sentenced to 6 years, George and Elena Nikulin — 4 years and 2 months each, and Alexander Shevchuk, Alexander Korolev and Denis Antonov — 2 years in prison. The appeal upheld the verdict. In November 2023 Shevchuk was released from the colony, and in June 2024 Korolev and Antonov were released.


Summary of the case


Region:

Mordovia

Locality:

Saransk

What is suspected of:

He was engaged in "spreading ideology and faith among the residents of the Republic of Mordovia ... by conducting conversations in public places and residential premises with residents of Saransk and other settlements," which is interpreted as "organizing the activities of an extremist organization"

Criminal case number:

11907890001000003

Case initiated:

February 4, 2019

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigating:

The Federal Security Service of Russia for the Republic of Mordovia

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1), 282.2 (1.1)

The number of the case in court:

1-13/2022 (1-216/2021)

Court:

Leninsky District Court of Saransk

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Elena Simonova


On the photo: 


1. Denis Antonov and Alexander Korolev with their spouses, June 14, 2024.

2. The liberated believers with friends and family, June 14, 2024.

3. Olga Antonova on the day of liberation, June 14, 2024.

4. Natalia Koroleva meets Alexander at the exit from the colony, June 14, 2024

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