Photo: Alexander Polozov with his wife Svetlana after being released from the pre-trial detention center

Criminal Investigation and Trial

Aleksandr Polozov Successfully Appealed the Preventive Measure, Released From Pre-Trial Detention

Krasnoyarsk Territory

On January 14, 2020, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court granted Aleksandr Polozov's complaint against the preventive measure and released him from the pre-trial detention center. The decision of the lower Norilsk City Court was overturned. Meanwhile, in fact, Alexander was released only on January 21.

A believer from Norilsk was imprisoned for almost 3 months. Now he will await trial for his faith on his own recognizance.

The case against Aleksandr Polozov was initiated on October 20, 2019. According to the investigation, he is accused of "religious speeches and worship," as well as "propaganda of the activities of the banned organization Jehovah's Witnesses." For this, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Case of Polozov in Norilsk

Case History
In October 2019, special forces surrounded a camp site in Norilsk, where about 50 people gathered for a friendly meeting. Some of them were interrogated. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Stepan Shevelev and Aleksandr Polozov, accusing the believers of organizing the activities of a banned organization. They were searched. Polozov was arrested and sent to a pre-trial detention center for 90 days, after which he was taken on recognizance not to leave. The same measure of restraint was chosen for Shevelev. In June 2021, the case of the believers went to court. The prosecutor requested a 6-year suspended sentence. The judge returned the case of Polozov and Shevelev to the prosecutor, not seeing corpus delicti in their actions. In July 2022, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court approved this decision. However, in May 2023, the case went back to court. This time, the prosecutor requested 6 years in prison for the believers. In December 2023, the court sentenced Polozov and Shevelev to 6 years suspended each.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnoyarsk Territory
Locality:
Norilsk
Suspected of:
According to the investigation he “organized meetings ... in compliance with distinctive —  for this association — actions expressed in religious speeches, services, and propaganda of the activities of the banned organization ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’”
Court case number:
11902040013000096
Initiated:
October 20, 2019
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-278/2023
Court:
Норильский городской суд Красноярского края
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Сергей Курунин
Case History