Krasnoyarsk. Photo source: [Ninara](https://flickr.com/photos/ninara/) / [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

Krasnoyarsk. Photo source: Ninara / CC BY 2.0

Krasnoyarsk. Photo source: Ninara / CC BY 2.0

Criminal trial

The Tenth Criminal Case for Christian Convictions in Krasnoyarsk Territory; 62-year-old Believer Accused of Extremism

Krasnoyarsk Territory

On March 25, 2020, investigator K.O. Zhuikov opened a criminal case against Anatoly Gorbunov, a 62-year-old resident of Krasnoyarsk. The believer was accused of continuing the activities of an "extremist organization" for meeting with fellow believers.

Anatoly Gorbunov became the tenth believer who is persecuted for his Christian beliefs in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.

In the decision to initiate a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, Zhuikov indicates that the believer "held religious meetings ... in order to continue the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses contrary to the ban", implying the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of April 17, 2017.

In reality, the Supreme Court did not ban the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, as repeatedly emphasized by Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Justice, the government and President Vladimir Putin. The wording used by the investigator underlines the widespread practice of Russian law enforcement agencies to mistakenly generalize the concept of a legal entity and the believers themselves.

The case of Gorbunov in Krasnoyarsk

Case History
About 2 years after the recordings of worship services of peaceful believers from Krasnoyarsk became available to the investigation, investigator Konstantin Zhuikov opened a criminal case. As a result, Anatoliy Gorbunov was accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. His house was searched twice. In January 2021, Gorbunov’s case went to court. For more than 10 sessions, Judge Maria Kunik listened to recordings of the defendant’s conversations about the Bible with an interested person, finding no calls to incite hatred or other crimes in the words of the believer. Despite the fact that the prosecution was never able to provide evidence of the believer’s guilt, in February 2022 the court found Anatoly Gorbunov guilty and sentenced him to 6 years in prison. In June, the appeal upheld this decision. In October 2022, the believer was taken to Penal Colony No. 31 in Krasnoyarsk to serve his sentence.
Timeline

Persons in case

Gorbunov
Anatoliy

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnoyarsk Territory
Locality:
Krasnoyarsk
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, he "committed actions of an organizational nature ... expressed in the leadership of this organization on the tactics, methods and forms of organization of the activities of "pioneers", "publishers" ... as well as the direct holding of religious meetings."
Court case number:
12002040005000014
Initiated:
March 25, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-11/2022 (1-174/2021)
Court:
Oktyabrskiy District Court of the City of Krasnoyarsk
Judge:
Mariya Kunik
Case History
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