In the photo from left to right from top to bottom: Sergey Logunov, Alexey Matveev, Vladimir Kochnev, Nikolai Zhugin, Pavel Lekontsev, Vladislav Kolbanov

In the photo from left to right from top to bottom: Sergey Logunov, Alexey Matveev, Vladimir Kochnev, Nikolai Zhugin, Pavel Lekontsev, Vladislav Kolbanov

In the photo from left to right from top to bottom: Sergey Logunov, Alexey Matveev, Vladimir Kochnev, Nikolai Zhugin, Pavel Lekontsev, Vladislav Kolbanov

Criminal trial

In Orenburg, investigators re-indicted 6 believers

Orenburg Region

On October 21 and 22, 2019, a new charge was brought against six believers from Orenburg, and the articles under which each of the believers is accused were changed (Articles 282.2, parts 1 and 2, as well as Article 282.3). The preliminary investigation of the case is coming to an end, followed by the stage of familiarization with the case materials.

Sergey Logunov, who is under recognizance not to leave, has now been charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization. Vladimir Kochnev, who spent 78 days in a pre-trial detention center and 70 days under house arrest and is now banned from certain actions, is charged under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (participation in the activities of an extremist organization). The same charge was brought against Nikolai Zhugin, Alexei Matveev and Pavel Lekontsev. Vladislav Kolbanov, in addition, is charged under Article 282.3 (financing of extremist activities). He spent 2 days in a temporary detention facility and 146 days under house arrest, and is currently prohibited from certain activities.

These peaceful Orenburg residents became accused after a major raid by security forces on May 16, 2018. Relatives and friends of believers are seriously concerned about what is happening, because these respectable citizens face real prison terms just because they studied the Bible. The support of loved ones helps them cope with this ordeal, and they all hope for a fair trial.

The Case of Kochnev and Others in Orenburg

Case History
In May 2018, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation initiated a criminal case against Vladimir Kochnev, Vladislav Kolbanov, Pavel Lekontsev, Sergey Logunov and Nikolay Zhugin. The believers from Orenburg were accused of organizing and financing the activity of an extremist organization and participating in it. This was because of meetings with friends in a café. After their homes were searched, three men were released under recognizance agreements, and two were detained. Kochnev spent 76 days in pretrial detention and 72 days under house arrest, while Kolbanov spent 149 days under house arrest. In December 2019, the case went to court, but a month later it was returned to the prosecutor’s office due to the vague nature of the charges. The retrial of the case by another judge began in February 2021. The charge is based on the testimony of the undercover agent V. Yudin. In August 2023, the judge gave the believers suspended sentences: Logunov and Zhugin — 2.5 years, Kochnev — 2 years and 8 months, Lekontsev — 3 years, and Kolbanov — 3.5 years. The court of appeal upheld the verdict.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Orenburg Region
Locality:
Orenburg
Suspected of:
according to the investigation, together with others he conducted religious services, which is interpreted as “organising and participating in the activity of an extremist organisation” (with reference to the decision of the Russian Supreme Court on the liquidation of all 396 registered organisations of Jehovah’s Witnesses)
Court case number:
11802530021000017
Initiated:
May 14, 2018
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Orenburg Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-1/2023 (1-2/2022; 1-139/2021; 1-62/2020; 1-501/2019)
Court:
Промышленный районный суд г. Оренбурга
Judge:
Диана Судоргина
Case History