The case of Tolmazov and Others in Tver Barbazyuk Maksim

 RUSSIA 


The case of Tolmazov and Others in Tver

Barbazyuk Maksim

Name: Barbazyuk Maksim Nikolayevich


Date of Birth: October 30, 1982

Current status: defendant

Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)

Current restrictions: recognizance agreement

Biography

The criminal prosecution for his faith complicated the life of Maksim Barbazyuk from Tver—due to accusations of extremism, his accounts were blocked, and the man had difficulties with his work.


Maksim was born in October 1982 in Moscow. He has an elder brother. Their parents are retired.


In his youth, Maksim was interested in computers, loved to travel, kayak, and snowboard. After school, he graduated with honors from the Moscow Automobile College with a degree in Maintenance and Repair of Cars and Engines, after which he worked in the financial sector—at first he had his own business in the field of public procurement and sublease, then he ran a firm for financial consulting and assistance in lending to legal entities, and later worked as an electrician, fulfilling private orders, as well as cooperating with a large energy company.


Maksim got acquainted with the Bible in 1993. He was impressed by the scientific and historical accuracy of this book, as well as the qualities displayed by believers, especially their love for one another. In 1996 he made the decision to become a Christian.


From Moscow, Maksim moved for a while to Vyshny Volochyok (Tver region), then to the Dominican Republic, and then returned to Russia and settled in Tver.


Maksim met his future wife Aleksandra while snowboarding with friends. They got married in 2022. Aleksandra works as an au pair. She decided to become a Christian in 2003 because she was attracted by the logic of the Bible's teachings as well as the qualities displayed by Christians. Together, the couple love to snowboard, walk in the woods, travel and chat with friends.


Due to the persecution for his faith, Maksim's health problems worsened. His family and friends are very worried about what is happening.


Case History


In the summer of 2023, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Jehovah’s Witnesses from Tver: Aleksandr Kostyuk, Maksim Barbazyuk, and pensioner Valeriy Tolmazov. Their homes were searched, after that the men were interrogated until late in the evening. The believers were accused of holding joint discussions of the Bible, which the investigation equated to extremist activity. In July 2024, the case went to court.


Criminal case


Region:

Tver Region

Locality:

Tver

Suspected of:

"Continue to carry out extremist activities by holding face-to-face and absentee meetings (videoconferences)"

Court case number:

12302280018050067

Case initiated:

June 29, 2023

Current case stage:

Trial in court of first instance

Investigating:

Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Tver Region

Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Court case number:

1-239/2024

Court of First Instance:

Moscow District Court of Tver

Judge of the Court of First Instance:

Valery Popov

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