The Case of Yelena Chernykh in Prokopyevsk
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July 12, 2020
FSB officers search the house of Yuri Chernykh and his wife Yelena. After the searches, they are taken for interrogation to the FSB department in Prokopyevsk. It turns out that the investigative actions are taking place in the framework of the criminal case against Andrei Vlasov.
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July 13, 2020
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May 25, 2023
Lieutenant Colonel of Justice Natalia Guzeeva, investigator for internal affairs of the investigative department for the city of Prokopyevsk of the investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass, initiates a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a banned organization) against unidentified persons.
According to the investigation, some residents of Prokopyevsk "out of extremist motives took part in the activities of an extremist organization ... consisting in the convocation of meetings... organizing religious speeches and services at these meetings... carrying out the preaching work." This is how the investigation characterizes the peaceful worship of Jehovah's Witnesses.
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August 15, 2023
Investigator Tatyana Zorina attracts Elena Chernykh as an accused and takes from her a written undertaking not to leave.
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September 11, 2023
The case against Elena Chernykh and Vera Semicheva is submitted to the Central District Court of Prokopyevsk. It will be considered by judge Elena Karamova.
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October 9, 2023
Court hearings begin. To support the believers, 28 people come to the courthouse.
The prosecutor reads out the charge, the defendants express their disagreement with it.
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October 25 — November 7, 2023
In connection with the failure of prosecution witnesses to appear at the hearing, the court announces the case materials.
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November 22, 2023
A prosecution witness is being questioned. Yelena Chernykh asks him to indicate exactly when and under what circumstances she called for the undermining of the state system, the destruction of the family and the incitement of religious hatred. To all these questions, the witness replies that he does not remember, because a lot of time has passed.
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December 6, 2023
During the hearing, Elena Chernykh becomes ill, she is taken to the hospital by ambulance. The meeting was adjourned.
Lawyers file a motion to declassify the secret witness. The court rejects it.
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January 2024
The court listens to audio recordings of worship services and Bible discussions.
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January 17, 2024
The secret witness Reutov, who attended meetings of believers and kept a secret recording, is being interrogated. He knows the defendant personally, but he has not heard her make negative statements about other religions or calls to disobey the authorities. The defense draws attention to the contradictions in the testimony of the witness.
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March 15, 2024
Yelena asks the court to attach to the case the materials prepared by the defense to prove her innocence. The judge refuses.
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April 1, 2024
Referee: Elena Karamova. Central District Court of Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo Region (Karl Liebknecht St., 9). Time: 10:00.
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April 12, 2024
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June 11, 2024