Case of Skudaev in Kurgan

Nikolay Astapov, Investigator for Particularly Important Cases of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kurgan Region, initiates a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code against Sergey Skudaev and other unidentified persons 12102370012000106.

According to the investigation, Skudaev "carried out ... religious meetings... including through video conferencing using the Zoom platform."

At 7:00 a.m., the security forces wake up Sergey and Irina Skudayev with a loud knock on the door. Upon entering, they lay the believer face down on the floor, but then allow him to rise. Law enforcement officers conduct a thorough search, while behaving respectfully.

Electronic devices, 50 wedding cards, a book by religious scholar S. I. Ivanenko about Jehovah's Witnesses, personal notes and a small amount of money received from the sale of honey were seized from believers, considering this proof of "financing a banned organization." During the search, Irina becomes ill from the stress she has experienced, she is allowed to take medicine.

Sergey is detained and placed in a temporary detention facility. Investigator Astapov officially involves the believer as a defendant in a criminal case.

Later, the believer recalls that he had previously noticed surveillance of himself: a woman came, who, posing as a bailiff, interviewed neighbors, asked "in which direction the door opens" from the Skudaevs.

Judge of the Kurgan City Court Alexander Schneider chooses a measure of restraint for Sergey Skudaev in the form of detention for a period of 2 months, that is, until September 13, 2021.

Sergey Skudaev is informed of a positive test result for covid. He suffers from cough and chest pain, has a high fever and has no sense of smell or taste. He is isolated from other prisoners, but no medical treatment is provided.

A lawyer visits a believer in a pre-trial detention center. It turns out that Sergey Skudaev is still not receiving any medical care. The authorities of the medical unit and the pre-trial detention center do not respond to the believer's written requests to conduct an examination, taking into account the consequences of covid, as well as to deal with the procedure for conducting the examination.

Sergey Skudaev went to court to extend the measure of restraint with 10 other prisoners. One man said that he was sitting in the same cell with two Jehovah's Witnesses. He willingly told everyone for 2 hours what the followers of this religion believed and why they were worthy of respect.

In the pre-trial detention center, Sergey Skudaev is visited by a lawyer. He finds out that the believer suffered a coronavirus without treatment, he was not given drugs, but now everything is fine. Does exercises, monitors health. The cell is warm, there is enough food. The believer has good relations with his cellmates, they do not smoke, they wash their hands. Sergey is receiving letters of support, but the Bible is still being checked by the censor.

In the morning, searches of Jehovah's Witnesses are carried out in Kurgan. Security forces seize electronic devices. The couple is taken to the Investigative Committee for interrogation.

The search of another believer is taking place despite the fact that on this day the man buries his mother, who died from coronavirus infection. Immediately after the funeral, the believer is forced to come to the Investigative Committee for interrogation.

In addition, a search is being conducted at the home of an elderly woman in the village of Zverinogolovskoye. This is the second time that security forces have invaded her home.

The court releases Sergey Skudaev from custody. A new measure of restraint is chosen for him - a ban on certain actions. The believer spent more than 4 months in prison.

A search is underway in a large family. Phones and tablets are seized from the spouses, and after the search they are taken to the Investigative Committee for interrogation.

Sergey Skudaev's case is submitted to the Kurgan City Court of the Kurgan Region and appointed to Judge Yevgeny Kolesov.

Hearings begin in the Kurgan City Court. About 60 people come to support the believer, which surprises the bailiffs.

Prosecutor S. V. Volynsky reads out the charge, Sergei Skudaev expresses his attitude towards him, citing quotes from the Bible. The state prosecutor, the secretary and the lawyer listen attentively.

The questioning of prosecution witnesses begins. Of the five invitees, only one comes. Answering the questions of the state prosecutor, he mainly enjoys the right not to testify against himself and his relatives.

40 people who came to support the defendant are allowed to attend the hearing.

One of the prosecution witnesses is being questioned. Answering questions, he uses Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The other 10 witnesses do not appear in court and their testimony is read out.

The first 10 volumes of the case materials are considered.

The court is interrogating a secret witness, Konstantin Konstantinov, who was twice present at the services of Jehovah's Witnesses. He confirms that the Bible was studied on them, and notes that "the atmosphere was trusting."

The defendant submits motions for a larger room and for the declassification of secret witnesses. The judge rejects them.