Appeal Upheld Suspended Sentences for Three Elderly Residents of Barnaul for Talking About Jehovah

 RUSSIA 


Appeal Upheld Suspended Sentences for Three Elderly Residents of Barnaul for Talking About Jehovah

July 19, 2024 Altai Territory


The sentence to veteran Mikhail Reshetnikov, 75, 69-year-old disabled person of group III Yuriy Kolotinskiy and 74-year-old Anatoliy Sarychev entered into force with minor changes - the corresponding decision was made by the Altai Territory Court on July 19, 2024. Each of the believers received a 2-year and 3-month suspended sentence.


Kolotinskiy, Reshetnikov and Sarychev received suspended sentences on charges of participating in the activities of an extremist organization for participating in peaceful religious meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses. The appellate instance changed the part of the verdict regarding the restriction of freedom: believers are forbidden to visit places of mass events and participate in them without the consent of supervisory bodies, while the ban on participation in other events was excluded from the verdict. The regional court also ruled not to destroy some personal belongings of believers, which the law enforcement officers seized as material evidence.


The believers with their wives and friends on the day of appeal. July 2024

In the appeal, the Barnaul residents pointed out: "All the accusations [of extremism] do not correspond to reality, as evidenced by the facts from the criminal case, from the examinations, as well as from the words of witnesses interrogated in court [...] wholly legitimate conduct aimed solely at expressing one's faith in ways characteristic of Jehovah's Witnesses around the world was wrongly regarded by the court as illegal actions."


According to believers, the criminal prosecution exacerbated the difficulties that old age and failing health already create. However, all three are grateful for the support from family and friends. "They pray for us, come to court, stand and wait for us in the cold time on the street, meet and see us off with applause. It touches my heart," Anatoliy Sarychev said earlier.


In total, 9 of Jehovah's Witnesses are being prosecuted on similar charges in the Altai Territory, two of them are serving sentences in a penal colony.


The Case of Reshetnikov and Others in Barnaul


Case History


Pensioner, labor veteran Mikhail Reshetnikov became one of the victims of the “Armageddon” police special operation, which took place in May 2021 in Barnaul and surrounding cities. The security forces searched the believer’s apartment, seizing greeting cards from his wedding, electronic devices and personal records. After the search, the investigator interrogated him in the FSB building and placed him on recognizance not to leave. Two days earlier, a criminal case was opened against the believer for participating in the activities of an extremist organization. Later, in October 2022, the investigation initiated a criminal case under the same article against pensioner Anatoliy Sarychev and labor veteran Yuriy Kolotinskiy. They also signed a written undertaking not to leave. In December 2022, the criminal case went to court. Testimony against the believers was given by a secret witness. In May 2024, the court handed down a verdict of 2 years and 3 months of suspended imprisonment, and in July, the appeal approved this decision.


Criminal case


Region:

Altai Territory

Locality:

Barnaul

Suspected of:

According to the investigation, "carried out activities to support the existence of the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses Barnaul, including through conversations ... as well as direct participation in events held by representatives of this organization.

Court case number:

12107010001000020

Case iInitiated:

May 25, 2021

Current case stage:

the verdict entered into force

Investigating:

Branch of the Federal Security Service of Russia in the Altai Territory

Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)

Court case number:

1-3/2024 (1-68/2023; 1-826/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Leninsky District Court of Barnaul, Altai Territory

Judge of the Court of First Instance:

Lyubov Kurushina


In the photo: Yuriy Kolotinskiy, Mikhail Reshetnikov and Anatoliy Sarychev near Altai Territory Court. July 19, 2024.

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