In Rostov-on-Don, Aleksandr Parkov Was Released After Five Years in Prison for His Faith

 RUSSIA 


 In Rostov-on-Don, Aleksandr Parkov Was Released After Five Years in Prison for His Faith

August 9, 2024 Rostov Region


On August 9, 2024, Aleksandr Parkov, 56, one of Jehovah's Witnesses, was released from the Penal Colony No. 10 in the Rostov Region. The believer spent five years and two months in a pre-trial detention center and colony for talking about the Bible.


Parkov's wife, Galina, also faced persecution for her faith. She was given a two year and three month suspended sentence. While her husband was imprisoned, Galina lost her job due to criminal prosecution. She is very grateful to her family and friends for their emotional and material support.


Galina said that her husband lives by the principle "if you want it to be good, create that 'good' around you." Administration employees and cellmates treated Parkov with respect. He worked in a blacksmith's shop and received rewards. According to Galina, good habits, hard work and letters of support helped Aleksandr to survive these difficult times.


Two more defendants in the Parkov case are Arsen and Vilen Avanesov. Vilen has already been released after almost 5 years in prison, Arsen remains in the colony.


The Case of Avanesov and Others in Rostov-on-Don


Case History


Searches, arrests, humiliation and intimidation — in May 2019, Aleksandr Parkov, Vilen and Arsen Avanesov from Rostov were detained by the Investigative Committee for allegedly continuing the activities of the banned Jehovah’s Witnesses organization. They were placed in a pre-trial detention center, where they spent 925 days (about 2 and a half years). The accusation against the believers was based on falsifications and the testimony of a provocateur recruited by the FSB. In July 2021, the court sentenced Vilen to six years in prison, and Aleksandr and Arsen to 6.5 years. The Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation upheld this decision. Arsen was charged with another article - sponsoring the activities of an extremist organization, and his sentence was increased to seven years. In February 2024, Vilen Avanesov was released, having served his term in full. In August 2024, Aleksandr Parkov was also released from the colony.


Criminal case


Region:

Rostov Region

Locality:

Rostov-on-Don

Suspected of:

According to the investigation they continued their activities and led the Local Religious Organization (LRO) of Jehovah's Witnesses, received religious literature, attracted other people to worship, and used living quarters at their places of residence for meetings

Court case number:

11902007712000035

Case initiated:

May 22, 2019

Current case stage:

The verdict entered into force

Investigating:

First Investigation Department (with deployment in Rostov-on-Don) of the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation

Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:

282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)

Court case number:

1-44/2021 (1-415/2020)

Court:

Leninsky District Court of Rostov-on-Don

Judge:

Vladimir Khudaverdyan,


In the photo: Aleksandr Parkov and his wife Galina on Liberation Day, August 9, 2024.

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