The Case of Baykalov in Kemerovo

Investigator Alexandra Isaeva initiates a criminal case against 58-year-old Vladimir Baikalov. He is suspected of taking part in the activities of a liquidated religious organization from October 11 to December 25, 2020, conducting conversations via video conferencing. In fact, Vladimir only discussed the Bible with friends via the Internet.

At 6 o'clock in the morning, investigator Isaeva issues a decision to search Vladimir Baikalov's apartment. She conducts a search without a court order.

The judge of the Zavodsky District Court of the city of Kemerovo, Yevgeny Rybnikov, recognizes the search in the home of Vladimir Baikalov as legal.

Investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Maria Mitkova attracts Vladimir Baikalov as a defendant in committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, and takes from him a written undertaking not to leave.

According to the investigation, the illegal actions committed by Baikalov consist in the fact that he "led ... event, building its sequence, giving course to its beginning and end ... inviting those present to read excerpts from religious literature, interviewing those present on the results of reading, commented and supplemented their answers, summarizing what was said, including offering to sing religious songs.

The case goes to the Zavodsky District Court of the city of Kemerovo. Judge Marina Romanina will listen to him.

The hearing on the merits of the case begins. The prosecutor reads out the indictment. Vladimir Baikalov declares his disagreement with the accusation and speaks with an attitude towards it. The court attaches the document to the case file.

About 20 people come to support the believer, but no one is allowed into the hall. The defendant applies for the admission of listeners to the next hearing. The judge agrees, but says that there is physically no place for admission of all comers, since the hearings are held in the office.

Of the six witnesses to the court, only Vladimir's wife, Irina, is present. Describing her husband, she says: "The court will not find a single person in the city who would accuse Volodya of something criminal. He has an excellent reputation and peaceful relationships with others. The accusations of extremism are simply absurd." She says that she and her husband have a warm relationship through the application of Bible principles. Irina states that she has never heard from Vladimir negative statements about followers of other religions, government officials or anyone else.

The prosecutor reads out the testimony of two witnesses who were present during the search of the Baikalovs. The judge then orders the compulsory attendance of three witnesses at the next hearing.

Five witnesses for the prosecution are speaking. The court first interrogated a woman who had attended several Jehovah's Witnesses services. She says that her statement was not recorded correctly, and she signed the protocol without reading, as she did not have suitable glasses with her. The woman says she does not know who Vladimir Baikalov is.

The employee at work characterizes the believer extremely positively. According to her, he conscientiously performed his duties, was distinguished by benevolence and willingness to help. The woman did not hear any negative statements or appeals of an extremist nature from him. She learned that Baikalov was a Jehovah's Witness from an investigator.

Similar testimony is given by another colleague of Vladimir. In addition, he notes that he never offered him religious literature or encouraged him to join any organization.

The head of the information and apologetic center in the Kemerovo diocese, Dmitry Petrakov, is being interrogated. He gives a negative assessment of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, but at the same time admits that he himself is not familiar with this organization, its activities, or personally with the defendant. Petrakov declares that he considers his religion to be true. In addition, he says that during his tenure, none of the residents of the Kemerovo region filed complaints against Jehovah's Witnesses, and he is not aware of the continuation of the organization's activities.

A woman who has known the Baikalov family for more than 20 years is being interrogated. It characterizes the defendant as a peaceful, tactful and delicate person.

The prosecutor reads out the first three volumes of the case file. Among them are records of worship services that discuss the importance of displaying qualities such as modesty and humility.

The accused shall re-apply for the admission of listeners to the hearing. The judge refers to the fact that the room where the hearings are held is too small and does not accommodate everyone. But she doesn't mind them being in the foyer.

The court begins to listen to audio recordings made secretly. One shows a conversation between Vladimir and a woman about the importance of observing biblical laws. On the second disc, the defendant can be heard reading Bible verses.

About 30 people come to the courthouse to support the believer. Since the hall where the meeting takes place is very small, those who come are located in the foyer and on the street. The court continues to listen to audio recordings of worship services.

The judge states that while listening to the audio recording of the service, the songs will be skipped. In her opinion, they are irrelevant to the process. The defendant objects, after which the court hears the entire audio recordings, listening to the songs. Also on the discs you can hear how Vladimir and his wife read the Bible together and discuss what they read.

Four defense witnesses are being questioned. Vladimir has about 40 years of friendship with three of them. The men report that they do not share the beliefs of the accused, but this does not interfere with their good relationship.

Baykalov draws the court's attention to the fact that in the case file there is often a record made by the officers who carried out operational-search activities: "Conversations of operational interest have not been recorded."

The prosecution is requesting 7 years in a general regime colony for Baikalov.

At the hearing on October 23, the debate of the defense, the last word of the defendant and the announcement of the verdict are planned.

"The Bible taught me to show love instead of aggression, and instead of inflicting pain, the desire and willingness to help," Vladimir Baikalov delivers his last word.