Photo source: ru.freepik.com

Photo source: ru.freepik.com

Photo source: ru.freepik.com

Criminal trial

In Chelyabinsk, a woman born in 1948 was charged. She "sang hymns" and "prayed to Jehovah God."

Chelyabinsk Region

On December 5, 2019, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Chelyabinsk Region charged 71-year-old Valentina Suvorova with continuing the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) simply because the woman enjoyed the right to freedom of religion. They took a written undertaking not to leave the place.

The investigator of the department for the investigation of especially important cases, Lieutenant Colonel of Justice Alexander Viktorovich Chepenko, accuses the woman of "committing a deliberate crime against the foundations of the constitutional order and state security." The decision to prosecute Valentina Suvorova alleges that she deliberately talked about faith with residents of the city of Chelyabinsk, sang chants, prayed to Jehovah God, and studied religious literature.

Valentina Suvorova committed all these terrible acts from the point of view of investigator Chepenko, "anticipating ... and expecting the onset of socially dangerous consequences in the form of violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of man and citizen." It is noteworthy that in the same document, the lieutenant colonel explains that those who profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are engaged in "performing divine services, familiarizing people with the Holy Scriptures, biblical teachings, principles and norms."

The case against the believer is being handled by the Department for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Chelyabinsk Region. It is known that in total, at least 10 searches were conducted in the homes of believers in the Chelyabinsk region in 2019.

Case of Suvorova in Chelyabinsk

Case History
A criminal case against 73-year-old Valentina Suvorova, a labor veteran, former choir teacher and conductor, was opened by the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Chelyabinsk Region on March 18, 2019. A few days later, the believer was searched, and 10 months later, a case was opened against her husband [Vladimir] (/en/prisoners/suvorovv.html). The security forces introduced an informant into the Suvorovs’ entourage - a woman who feigned interest in the Bible. In addition to the betrayal of this man, the couple had to go through a lot in their lives, including the death of their 42-year-old only son. The criminal prosecution caused the believer, according to her, an incurable emotional trauma. Other diseases have worsened. For more than a year, Valentina was under recognizance not to leave. Since February 18, 2020, she has defended her good name in the Metallurgicheskiy District Court, where, for health reasons, she testified while sitting. On March 11, 2021, Judge Grigory Yarygin sentenced her to 2 years probation with restriction of liberty for 6 months with a probation period of 1 year.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Chelyabinsk Region
Locality:
Chelyabinsk
Court case number:
11902750030000002
Initiated:
March 18, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
СК РФ по Челябинской области
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-3/2021 (1-164/2020)
Court:
Металлургический районный суд г. Челябинска
Judge:
Григорий Ярыгин
Case History