The Case of Ogoreva in Mednogorskiy

Senior investigator V. A. Boranukov initiates a criminal case against Svetlana Ogoreva, who was previously a witness in the case against Alexei Pasynkov. The investigator considers communication through instant messengers with fellow believers, participation in worship services using the Internet and discussion of quotes from the Bible to be signs of a "crime".

Investigator V. A. Boranukov, accompanied by the head of the CPE, Azat Dzhamturiev, comes to Svetlana Ogoreva and her mother with a search. Women call the district police officer, in which the search takes place in a more relaxed atmosphere. However, Svetlana's mother becomes ill, she calls an ambulance. During the 4-hour search, law enforcement officers seized Bibles, electronic devices and personal records. On the same day, Svetlana is interrogated.

Lieutenant Anuar Khasanov, an investigator of the Zelenchuk Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, brings Svetlana Ogoreva as an accused.

According to the investigation, Svetlana "took part in the activities of a religious association," and also "by means of remote communication (the Internet) maintained contacts with persons professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in order to participate in divine services and study the Holy Scriptures with reading and discussing quotations from the Bible."

Svetlana is chosen a preventive measure in the form of a recognizance not to leave.

The case is submitted to the Urup District Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic for consideration by Judge Galina Evsegneeva.

During the hearing, the judge draws attention to the absence of the signature of the investigating authority in the indictment. In this regard, the case is returned to the prosecutor.

It turns out that the case of Svetlana Ogoreva has again been submitted to court.

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Galina Yevsegneeva recused herself.

Based on the decision of the Supreme Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Svetlana Ogoreva's case is transferred to the Zelenchuksky District Court, which is twice as close to her home. The case will be considered by Judge Fatima Borlakova.

The trial of Svetlana Ogoreva begins. She expresses her attitude to the accusation: she does not consider herself guilty, as she peacefully gathered with friends to discuss biblical topics. Nine listeners are allowed into the courtroom.

At two sessions, witnesses for the prosecution are interrogated - Svetlana Ogoreva's brother and his wife. From their testimony it becomes clear that they did not maintain relations with the defendant for more than 10 years. The defense emphasizes that their conclusions are based mainly on rumors and assumptions and relate to events before 2017.

"If my dad were alive, he would be proud of me, because I am not standing before the court for a bad case, but for my faith in God." Svetlana Ogoreva makes her final statement.