The case of Maltseva in Partizansk

A woman participating in a worship service, which is attended by Liya Maltseva, makes a hidden video.

Investigator of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee Maria Dedyura initiates a criminal case against Liya Maltseva under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The believer is accused of participating in the activities of a religious association banned by the court.

Rosfinmonitoring adds Liya Maltseva to the list of terrorists and extremists. This comes as a surprise to the believer, as she has not been notified of the initiation of a criminal case against her.

The senior detective of the 2nd branch of the service in the city of Nakhodka of the FSB of Russia in the Primorsky Territory, Major A.V. Babornen, submits a report to the head of the FSB in Nakhodka, Colonel V.V. Russkikh about the need to conduct a search in the home of Liya Maltseva.

The investigator of the investigation department for the city of Partizansk of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Primorsky Territory, M. A. Dedyura, sends a petition to the Partizansky City Court to search the apartment of Liya Maltseva.

Judge of the Partizansky City Court of Primorsky Krai Daria Didur allows a search of Liya Maltseva's home.

The investigator of the Investigative Directorate for the city of Partizansk of the Investigative Committee of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Primorsky Territory, M. A. Dedyura, together with two FSB officers, searches the home of Liya Maltseva for 2 hours. Helley's Bible Handbook, Erik Nyström's Bible Dictionary, a Bible Encyclopedia, several Bibles, and a telephone are confiscated from the believer.

After the search, Liya Maltseva is taken to the investigation department for questioning. The investigator chooses a measure of restraint for her in the form of a written undertaking not to leave the place and proper behavior.

A psychiatric examination is being conducted in Ussuriysk, for which Maltseva has to travel 200 km from home.

Liya Maltseva is charged under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in extremist activities). She was re-elected as a preventive measure in the form of a written undertaking not to leave.

Liya Maltseva's case is submitted to the Partizansky City Court of Primorsky Krai.

Hearings on the case begin. Liya Maltseva declares: "I do not agree with the accusation. By a Supreme Court decision of April 20, 2017, citizens were not prohibited from practicing this religion [of Jehovah's Witnesses], for example, by reading and discussing the Bible together, as well as singing songs praising God. Therefore, it is illegal to prosecute me for peacefully practicing my faith in God."

Maltseva refuses the services of a state lawyer.

2 prosecution witnesses are being questioned. Both women use Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, but say that they have not heard from the defendant any hate speech or appeals against representatives of other religions.

Two witnesses are being questioned. The first informs the court that she does not know the defendant, has no hostile attitude towards any of those present, has been to Jehovah's Witnesses services only twice, but does not remember exactly when and where they took place.

At the hearing in the Partizansky City Court, a witness from the prosecution is questioned. According to the witness, she does not know the defendant personally. Her mother-in-law was one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and she never heard hate speech from her, but she saw love for others.

Since July 2021, the hearings have been repeatedly postponed, including due to the illness of the defender.

Liya Maltseva is appointed a new lawyer. He has a month to familiarize himself with the case materials.

The judge does not satisfy the defense's request to cancel the measure of restraint. Leah needs to visit her parents outside her locality, so the judge advises writing an application for departure.

The court grants Leah's request to visit her mother, despite the recognizance not to leave.

The prosecutor requests for Liya Maltseva a sentence of 3 years of suspended imprisonment and a probationary period of 3 years, as well as restriction of freedom for a period of 1 year.

Liya Maltseva gives her last word. "I have been studying the Scriptures for more than twenty years. Thanks to the knowledge gained, I learned not to hate people and not to incite anyone to violence and cruelty," the believer declares.

On the same day, the court issues a guilty verdict.