Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Jehovah's Witnesses Were Searched. Criminal Case Initiated

Kamchatka Territory

On the morning of October 17, 2022, searches were carried out in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at four addresses of Jehovah's Witnesses and their relatives. A criminal case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

The criminal case was opened by the investigator for especially important cases D. M. Petukhov on September 25, 2022. At one of the families, the security forces searched not only the apartment, but also the car. They seized electronic devices, storage media, money and personal records. Law enforcement officers took another believer straight from work and took him to the Investigative Committee for interrogation. After searches and interrogations, the believers were released on a pledge to appear.

Now, in the Kamchatka Territory, 8 believers have already faced criminal prosecution for their faith. Three of them were acquitted, two received a fine, and one received a suspended sentence. Soon, the verdict will be announced to the Semyonov spouses from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

The case of the Chechulins in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Case History
Sergey Chechulin and his wife Yelena became defendants in another criminal case against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In September 2022, the Investigative Committee opened a case against them on suspicion of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. A month later, their home was searched, and the spouses were placed under recognizance agreement. In November 2023, the case went to court. The prosecutor requested 6 years in prison for them. In April 2024, the couple was sentenced to 2 years suspended with a probation period of 3 years and 6 months of additional restrictions.
Timeline

Persons in case

Chechulin
Sergey
Chechulina
Yelena

Criminal case

Region:
Kamchatka Territory
Locality:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Suspected of:
in "convening meetings, organizing collective religious speeches and services, in accordance with the ideology of the religious association of Jehovah's Witnesses at these meetings ... Conducted routine training with other persons on the postulates of the religious association "Jehovah's Witnesses"" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12202300011000019
Initiated:
September 25, 2022
Current case stage:
Appeal
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kamchatka Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-70/2024 (1-997/2023)
Court of First Instance:
Петропавловск-Камчатский городской суд
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Иван Пантяшин
Case History