In Magadan, The Court Sentenced 13 Jehovah's Witnesses to Suspended Sentences From 3 to 7 Years

One of the most massive cases for the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, in which the investigation and trial lasted almost six years, ended in a guilty verdict. On March 6, 2024, Judge Tatyana Belayeva of the Magadan City Court sentenced believers aged 31 to 73 to a suspended sentence.

Sergey Yerkin, Konstantin Petrov and Ivan Puyda received 7 years, Yevgeniy Zyablov received 5 years, Sergey Agadzhanov, Viktor Revyakin, Mikhail and Oksana Solntsev, Irina Khvostova, Lyubov Asatryan, Galina Dergacheva, Inna Kardakova and Galina Pechko received 3 years — all suspended with a probationary period of 2 to 5 years. As an additional punishment, believers were assigned restriction of freedom from 10 months to 1 year.

A criminal case was opened in May 2018, followed by searches. Ivan Puyda was detained by the security forces in Khabarovsk, 1600 km from Magadan. He, as well as Petrov, Zyablov and Yerkin were imprisoned for a period of 2 to 4 months. As a result of the second wave of searches in March 2019, Lyubov Asatryan, Irina Khvostova, Mikhail and Oksana Solntsev, Inna Kardakova, Galina Dergacheva, Viktor Revyakin and Sergey Agadzhanov became defendants in the case. Two years later, Galina Pechko was added to this list.

The accusation of organizing, financing and participating in the activities of an extremist organization was based on hidden recordings of worship services, during which believers spoke of compassion and love for people, forgiveness and hope. The testimonies of witnesses, including the FSB operative who conducted operational work in the framework of this case, did not reveal any manifestations of extremism at these religious meetings. At court hearings, the defense has repeatedly noted that all 13 believers have a reputation as respectable, intelligent and hardworking people.

The support of relatives and friends helped the believers to cope with the difficulties caused by the criminal prosecution. Galina Pechko said: "I can contact them at any time. I hear so many words of encouragement that keep me warm and help me endure everyday difficulties." According to Ivan Puyda, during his imprisonment he was supported by the example of the resilience of his grandfather, who was also persecuted for his faith in Soviet times: "If he were alive, he would be proud of me ... His example inspired me to remain faithful and courageous."

The convicts denied their guilt in extremism, as they stated in their speeches with the last statement.