Photo: search of believers (2016)

Photo: search of believers (2016)

Photo: search of believers (2016)

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Raid on Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan, Codenamed "Judgment Day"

Jewish Autonomous Area

Since the early morning of May 17, 2018, at least 9 searches have been carried out in the homes of local residents who are believed to be Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan (Jewish Autonomous Region). One of the believers was detained. According to one of the operatives involved in the searches, a total of 150 security officials are involved in this operation, codenamed "Judgment Day".

A criminal case has been opened against 55-year-old Alam Aliyev, a local Jehovah's Witness. He is detained, and it is expected that on May 18, 2018, the issue of a preventive measure will be decided against him.

It is known for sure about at least 9 searches carried out in different parts of the city. Photographs, bank cards, money, all electronic devices, even old and broken ones, are seized from citizens.

The Case of Aliyev and Others in Birobidzhan

Case History
In May 2018, in the city of Birobidzhan a special FSB operation with the participation of 150 security officials, code-named "Judgement Day", took place. More than 20 families of Jehovah's Witnesses have become victims of criminal prosecution, including Alam Aliyev,Valeriy Kriger, Sergey Shulyarenko, and Dmitriy Zagulin. The believers were charged with holding meetings for worship, which the investigation deemed to be the organizing the activity of an extremist organization and financing it. They spent more than 5 months in pretrial detention. In November 2020, the case went to court. The hearings lasted more than 2 years, and in December 2022, the court sentenced Zagulin to 3.5 years, Aliyev to 6.5 years, and Shulyarenko and Kriger to 7 years in a penal colony. The court of appeal upheld the terms of Zagulin and Aliyev and reduced those of Shulyarenko and Kriger by 3 months. The court of cassation upheld the verdict in March 2024. The wives of three of the convicts were also prosecuted: Svetlana Monis, Tatyana Zagulina and Natalya Kriger. In September 2023, Sergey Shulyarenko's wedding took place in the penal colony.
Timeline

Persons in case

Aliyev
Alam
Kriger
Valeriy
Shulyarenko
Sergey
Zagulin
Dmitriy

Criminal case

Region:
Jewish Autonomous Area
Locality:
Birobidzhan
Suspected of:
according to the investigation he together with others conducted meetings for worship, which is interpreted as “organising the activity of an extremist organisation” (with reference to the decision of the RF Supreme Court on the liquidation of all 396 registered organisations of Jehovah’s Witnesses)
Court case number:
11807990001000008
Initiated:
May 14, 2018
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Jewish Autonomous Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)
Court case number:
№ 1-8/2022 (1-65/2021; 1-609/2020)
Court:
Birobidzhanskiy District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Judge:
Yana Vladimirova
Case History

The Case of the Postnikovs in Birobidzhan

Case History
In May 2018, a special operation of the FSB with the participation of 150 law enforcement officers, codenamed “Judgement Day”, took place in Birobidzhan. Oleg and Agnessa Postnikov were among the 20 Jehovah’s Witnesses who became victims of criminal prosecution. The FSB accused them of participating in the activity of an extremist organization and involving others in it. The couple was made to sign a recognizance agreement. The case went to court in June 2021. The charges against the believers were based on the testimony of police officer Zvereva and another resident of Birobidzhan, who pretended that she was interested in the Bible. In April 2022, the court gave Oleg and Agnessa suspended sentences of 5.5 and 5 years, respectively. The court of appeal overturned this decision and in October 2022 returned the case for a new trial, which resulted in suspended sentences of 5.5 and 4.5 years. Another hearing at the court of appeal upheld the verdict. In February 2024, another search took place at the Postnikovs’ home, but as part of a new raid by law enforcement officers on the homes of believers. In July 2024, the court of cassation upheld the decision of the court of appeal.
Timeline

Persons in case

Postnikov
Oleg
Postnikova
Agnessa

Criminal case

Region:
Jewish Autonomous Area
Locality:
Birobidzhan
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, "taking an active part in conducting religious events for studying and disseminating ... ideology"
Court case number:
12007990001000009
Initiated:
February 12, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Jewish Autonomous Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)
Court case number:
1-39/2023 (1-718/2022)
Court:
Birobidzhan District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Olga Klyuchikova
Case History
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