An Appeal in Abakan Upheld Suspended Sentences for Two Believers—Two-and-a-Half Years Each for Holding Bible Discussions

On June 16, 2022, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Khakassia approved the verdict against Aleksandr Vergunov and Matrena Spiriadi. The Judicial Collegium, chaired by Judge Yelena Dyukareva, considered attending services and discussing the Bible a criminal offense.

In the court of first instance, it turned out that most of the 42 witnesses either did not know the defendants or were confused in their testimony. Despite this, the prosecutor asked to sentence the believers to 5 years in prison. The court limited itself to a suspended sentence: 2.5 years each.

The verdict has entered into force. Believers still insist on their innocence. They have the right to appeal the verdict in cassation.

The third suspect in the case was 44-year-old Irina Sidorova, who died in hospital in July 2020 after two surgeries. Her minor child was left without a mother.

The case of the Abakan believers was separated from the case of Roman Baranovskiy and his mother Valentina . The 70-year-old believer was released on parole. Her son is still in prison for his faith in God.

A recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights once again confirmed the incompetence of the criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.