In the photo: the detention of a believer in Yaroslavl. Source: [website of the press service of the National Guard Directorate for the Yaroslavl Region](https://76.rosguard.gov.ru/News/Article/pri-podderzhke-sotrudnikov-yaroslavskogo-omon-rosgvardii-proshli-obyski-u-organizatorov-ekstremistskogo-soobshhestva)

In the photo: the detention of a believer in Yaroslavl. Source: website of the press service of the National Guard Directorate for the Yaroslavl Region

In the photo: the detention of a believer in Yaroslavl. Source: website of the press service of the National Guard Directorate for the Yaroslavl Region

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Mass Searches in the Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses Took Place in the Yaroslavl Region. At Least One Believer Is Detained

Yaroslavl Region

On the morning of April 13, 2021, in Yaroslavl and neighboring Rybinsk, FSB and National Guard officers conducted searches in the homes of believers. The Investigative Committee reports that the raid took place at 31 addresses, but this information is being specified. The 45-year-old father of a young child, Andrey Vyushin, was detained and sent to the temporary detention facility.

Update. Later it became known about the detention of the second believer, 55-year-old Petr Filiznov. On April 15, the court ruled to send both believers to Detention Center No. 1 in Yaroslavl until at least June 11, 2021 (address: 10 Portovaya Naberezhnaya St., Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Region, Russia, 150001). The Kuznetsov spouses, 38-year-old Alexander and 33-year-old Maria, were also placed in the same pre-trial detention center.

The believers were suspected of holding religious meetings, "including through the Internet, within which [they] promoted prohibited teachings," according to the official website of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Yaroslavl Region. A criminal case was initiated under Article 282.2. Once again, security officials call the activities of an extremist organization a peaceful religious practice, during which believers discuss the Bible, pray and sing religious songs. The security officials do not report any real criminal activity of the suspects.

“Andrey Vyushin has a five-year-old child and a mother with a disability. She cannot walk without assistance. Why are the security forces punishing them? For the fact that the head of the family read the Bible and prayed. And this is happening despite the explanations of the authorities that the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses is not prohibited,” says Yaroslav Sivulskiy, a representative of the European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses.

This is the first case of criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Yaroslavl region since the decision of the Supreme Court of Russia to liquidate legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.

The case of Filiznov and others in Yaroslavl

Case History
In April 2021, the investigation initiated a criminal case under an article for extremism against Andrey Vyushin, Petr Filiznov, as well as the couple Aleksandr and Mariya Kuznetsov. They were suspected of holding meetings for worship “including through the Internet, in which [they] promoted forbidden teachings”. The law enforcement officers conducted searches in Yaroslavl and neighboring Rybinsk, after which 4 believers were placed in a detention center. After 3 months, the court released them under a ban on certain actions. Vyushin was fitted with a tracking bracelet on his leg, and a control device was installed in his apartment, although his preventive measure did not prohibit him from leaving his home or being in certain places. In August 2022, the case went to court. After 11 months, the believers were sentenced: Andrey Vyushin and Petr Filiznov were given 6.5 years suspended and Aleksandr and Mariya Kuznetsov – 2.5 years.
Timeline

Persons in case

Filiznov
Petr
Kuznetsova
Mariya
Kuznetsov
Aleksandr
Vyushin
Andrey

Criminal case

Region:
Yaroslavl Region
Locality:
Yaroslavl
Suspected of:
held religious meetings "including through the Internet, within the framework of which [they] promoted prohibited teachings" (from the press release of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Yaroslavl Region)
Court case number:
12102780014000004
Initiated:
April 12, 2021
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Yaroslavl Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1), 282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-7/2023 (1-387/2022)
Court of First Instance:
Дзержинский районный суд г. Ярославля
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Ирина Власова
Case History

Glazov's case in Yaroslavl

Case History
In April 2021, a wave of searches took place in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Yaroslavl. Among those invaded by the security forces was the family of Andrei Glazov. On the same day, Andrey, along with other believers, was interrogated in the Investigative Committee. After 13 months, a criminal case was opened against Glazov. He was detained and placed in a pre-trial detention center, accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. After 4 months, the court changed the measure of restraint to a ban on certain actions. In June 2023, the case went to court.
Timeline

Persons in case

Glazov
Andrey

Criminal case

Region:
Yaroslavl Region
Locality:
Yaroslavl
Court case number:
12202780014000015
Initiated:
May 18, 2022
Current case stage:
trial in Court of First Instance
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Yaroslavl Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court of First Instance:
Ярославский районный суд Ярославской области
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Вера Конева
Case History