Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Vladimir region siloviki join in religious persecution. A series of searches took place in Kovrov

Vladimir Region

On February 17, 2021, believers from the Kovrov city reported searches that had taken place at least at 6 addresses. 14 people were detained and taken away for interrogation, including elderly ones. Details are being clarified.

Update. According to updated data, searches and inspections in Kovrov began at 7 am on February 17 and took place at 7 addresses. One of the believers was picked up straight from work in the morning at about 9 o’clock. Electronic devices were seized from the majority of citizens. The security forces interrogated 23 people, one of the women needed emergency medical attention, and she was taken to the hospital. During interrogations, FSB officers from Vladimir and Kovrov presented screenshots taken in the summer of 2020. They show that believers communicate with each other via video link. Most of those interrogated were released on the same day. One of the believers was released only the next morning. 65-year-old Boris Simonenko was sent by a court decision for 2 months to a pre-trial detention center (a room operating in the mode of pre-trial detention centers) at the Correctional Colony No. 7 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Vladimir Region.

The Vladimir Region has become the 62nd region of Russia where criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses is being conducted under the guise of fighting extremism. Law enforcement officials consider peaceful religious services, during which believers read the Bible, pray and discuss Christian teachings, as a "crime". Despite the fact that the Russian courts did not prohibit the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, its confession is equated by the security forces as a continuation of the activities of the banned organization. Currently, 81 out of almost 200 initiated criminal cases are in courts. 26 sentences entered into force, 49 people were placed in places of detention, 9 of them - in colonies. There are no victims in any of the criminal cases and no harm had been caused to a person or any of the state structures.

The world community unequivocally classifies the criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia as unjustified religious repression.

Case of Simonenko in Kovrov

Case History
In February 2021, the homes of residents in Kovrov were searched. Boris Simonenko, a retired miner, was detained. A criminal case was initiated against him for his faith in God. During interrogations, FSB officers from Vladimir and Kovrov presented screenshots taken in the summer of 2020, which showed believers communicating with each other via video link. Also, the charges were based on transcripts of Simonenko’s telephone conversations, in which the Bible was mentioned. The believer spent 145 days in a detention center and 219 days under house arrest, after which he was placed under a ban on certain actions. In September 2022, the criminal case went to court. The prosecutor requested 6 years in a penal colony for the believer. In July 2023, the court sentenced Simonenko to 2 years and 7 months imprisonment with additional restrictions for 1 year. The period of stay in a detention center, house arrest and a ban on certain actions was counted toward this term.
Timeline

Persons in case

Simonenko
Boris

Criminal case

Region:
Vladimir Region
Locality:
Carpets
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, he "organized collective meetings, as well as religious speeches, divine services and sermons at them ... He spoke independently at these meetings.
Court case number:
12107170001000002
Initiated:
February 18, 2021
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigation Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia in the Vladimir Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-19/2023 (1-417/2022)
Court of First Instance:
Ковровский городской суд Владимирской области
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Дмитрий Кириллов
Case History