In the photo: Oleg Danilov with his family
An Appeal in Krasnodar Upheld the Sentence to Oleg Danilov - 3 Years in Prison for Faith
Krasnodar TerritoryOn May 25, 2021, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld the conviction against 47-year-old Jehovah's Witness Oleg Danilov from the village of Kholmskaya. For discussing the Bible, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison with restriction of freedom for a period of 1 year.
The verdict entered into force. The believer insists on his innocence and has the right to appeal against the verdict in cassation procedure, as well as in international instances.
On March 30, 2021, Olga Khomchenkova, judge of the Abinsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory, convicted Oleg Danilov, considering peaceful discussions of the Bible to be participation in the activities of a banned organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The investigation was initiated by the investigator of the FSB of Russia for the Krasnodar Territory, O. I. Komissarov. He also handled the cases of Aleksandr Ivshin and Aleksandr Shcherbina, who were sentenced for their faith to 7.5 and 3 years in prison, respectively.
In court in the case of Oleg Danilov, witnesses for the prosecution spoke, including the ataman of the village of Kholmskaya, in which the believer lives, and a district inspector. Both could not say anything bad about the defendant. FSB officer Bochin was able to provide only a poster with biblical quotes and homemade postcards as proof of "extremism".
Oleg Danilov and his wife are raising two sons, students, one of whom has not yet reached the age of majority. In April 2020, Oleg Danilov and his family were searched for the first time, but the security forces did not find anything prohibited on them. After 7 months, they were searched again. The representatives of law-enforcement agencies seized a sketchbook and diaries from the children's room. The investigator threatened the minor child with problems in the educational institution because of the refusal to unlock the phone.
While the investigation lasted and the trial was underway, the head of the family was under recognizance not to leave for about 3 months. It was difficult for him to provide for his wife and children financially. After the verdict of the court of first instance was announced, the believer was placed in custody in a pre-trial detention center in Novorossiysk, and the family lost their breadwinner.
Law enforcement officers have equated Jehovah's Witnesses with dangerous criminals, although this religion is not prohibited in Russia.. Their peaceful meetings and conversations on spiritual topics about the Bible are perceived by the authorities as a threat to security for society and the state. Oleg Danilov emphasized: “It was the Bible that taught me to be peaceful, attentive towards people of all kinds. The very concept of “extremism” fundamentally contradicts my Christian nature. "
In Russia and abroad, legal scholars condemn the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. Religious scholar Sergei Ivanenko wrote: “The absolute majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are law-abiding, strive to live in accordance with the moral standards set forth in the Bible. They reject violence, pay taxes in good faith, value peace in the family, society and state, and recognize the right of other people to have their own convictions. "
