Denis Merkulov with his wife Natalya on March 23, 2023, the day of the verdict

Denis Merkulov with his wife Natalya on March 23, 2023, the day of the verdict

Denis Merkulov with his wife Natalya on March 23, 2023, the day of the verdict

Unjust Verdicts

Court of Appeal in Murmansk Upheld the Guilty Verdict but Reduced the Fine for Denis Merkulov

Murmansk Region

The verdict against Denis Merkulov, one of Jehovah's Witnesses from Apatity, entered into force on July 18, 2023 by the appeal decision of the Murmansk Regional Court. However, the court reduced the fine – the believer will pay 400,000 rubles instead of 500,000 rubles for the peacefully practicing his faith.

In the appeal proceedings, prosecutor Pavel Zhilinkov had sought a tougher sentence, but the judicial panel agreed with the position of the lower court, which had imposed a fine on the believer. Merkulov was found guilty of organizing the activity of an extremist organization because he peacefully discussed the Bible amongst friends and conducted meetings for worship. The believer considers the court decision a violation of his right to freedom of religion.

In the Murmansk Region, six of Jehovah's Witnesses have already received heavy fines simply for not giving up their beliefs and continuing to practice their religion peacefully. Law enforcement officers in this region, as well as throughout Russia, continue the campaign of prosecuting peaceful citizens for their faith, despite condemnation from the global community.

Merkulov's case in Apatity

Case History
Broken front door, broken window and armed security forces — that was part of the search in the apartment of Denis Merkulov and his wife in July 2021. The Investigative Committee accused the believer from Apatity of organizing the activity of an extremist organization for “singing songs … and praying to Jehovah God” and “organized practice of faith.” Merkulov was detained after interrogation. After 24 hours in a temporary detention facility, he was placed under house arrest for two months, and then the preventive measure was changed to a ban on certain actions. In August 2022, the criminal case went to court. The charge was based on the testimony of a man who invited Denis to talk about Bible teachings. In March 2023, the court sentenced the believer to a fine of 500,000 rubles. The prosecutor insisted on an appeal, which upheld the guilty verdict, but reduced the fine to 400,000 rubles.
Timeline

Persons in case

Merkulov
Denis

Criminal case

Region:
Murmansk Region
Locality:
Apatity
Suspected of:
"organized religious speeches and worship services via conference calls", "study of religious literature and bring its texts to the participants of meetings" (from the indictment).
Court case number:
12102470003000051
Initiated:
July 19, 2021
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate for the city of Apatity of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Murmansk Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-1/2023 (1-190/2022)
Court:
Апатитский городской суд Мурманской области
Judge:
Ольга Карулина
Case History