The case of Vergunov and Others in Abakan

In Khakassia, a criminal case has been initiated, in which six believers become defendants at once. This case is separated from the criminal case initiated earlier against Roman and Valentina Baranovskiy.

Lieutenant Colonel of Justice O. M. Ermakova, an investigator for the Department of Internal Affairs of the Investigative Committee for the city of Abakan of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia, interrogates Pyotr Bozykov and Alexander Vergunov, suspected of extremism for their faith. They are obliged to appear in a timely manner when summoned by a person conducting an initial inquiry, an investigator or to a court, and in the event of a change of residence, to report it immediately.

Investigator O. M. Ermakova interrogates Alexei Baikalov and Irina Sidorova. The believers do not admit their guilt and say that they have never been engaged in extremist activities. Baikalov undertakes an obligation to appear.

Irina Sidorova, at the age of 44, dies in hospital after two surgeries. A minor child is left without a mother.

The court hearing at which the sentencing was scheduled was postponed.

Senior detective of the CPE of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Republic of Khakassia, police major Artyom Kononov, accompanied by two operatives and two witnesses, searches the apartment of Alexander Vergunov from 20:30 to 22:00. The basis is the decision of the Abakan City Court dated March 27, 2021. During the search, a laptop and an old system unit were seized from a 23-year-old believer. Nothing forbidden is found in Alexander.

At the same time, three FSB officers, in the presence of two witnesses, conduct a search in the home of 67-year-old Matryona Spiriadi. They seize the woman's new tablet, personal notes and postcards.

Three operatives, accompanied by two witnesses, from 20:30 to 22:00 conduct a search in the home of Pyotr Bozykov. Personal records, electronic devices and data carriers are seized from the believer.

O. M. Ermakova, an investigator for the Department of Internal Affairs of the Investigative Committee for the city of Abakan of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia, includes Matryona Spiriadi as a defendant in committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282. 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization).

The investigation considers it a crime that the elderly woman, "being a follower of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses," attended services and discussed the Bible.

Investigator Yermakov prosecutes Aleksandr Vergunov as a defendant in committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282. 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization). The believer is also charged with talking about the Bible.

The Prosecutor of the Republic of Khakassia S. A. Firsov approves the indictment in the criminal case.

The case is submitted to the Abakan City Court of the Republic of Khakassia and appointed to Judge Yuri Lotsky.

The court is questioning 2 prosecution witnesses who cannot identify Aleksandr Vergunov. The testimonies of other witnesses who did not appear at the hearing are also announced.

The questioning of prosecution witnesses is ongoing. Operational officer Maganakov says that he has not heard any extremist statements from Vergunov.

One of the prosecution witnesses states that he does not recognize Vergunov, although earlier, during the preliminary investigation, he "identified" him from a photograph, and his testimony formed the basis of the criminal case.

The court decides not to question one of the secret witnesses, since the testimony is not relevant to this criminal case.

The court rejects the requests to include the views of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (GAD), as well as the Foreign Ministry's explanation that Jehovah's Witnesses are legally allowed to practice their faith jointly.

Judge Lotsky attaches the characteristics of the defendants to the case, after which Alexander Vergunov testifies to the court.

The prosecutor asks the court to appoint Aleksandr Vergunov and Matryona Spiriadi to 5 years in a general regime colony.

Alexander Vergunov delivers his last word. Matryona Spiriadi's speech will take place at the next meeting.

Instead of announcing the verdict to Alexander Vergunov and Matryona Spiriadi, the judge of the Abakan City Court of the Republic of Khakassia, Yuri Lotsky, makes a decision to resume the judicial investigation, which will consider material evidence - audio and video materials.

The court is reviewing recordings of worship services made in 2017-2018.

The prosecutor asks the defendants to indicate the names of the people in the video, and also asks if they recognize the Baranovskis.

At the end of the screening, Aleksandr Vergunov draws the court's attention to the fact that the recordings contain only peaceful discussions of the Bible among fellow believers and have nothing to do with extremism.

The court found the believers guilty and sentenced them to 2.5 years of probation.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Khakassia approves the sentence to Alexander Vergunov and Matryona Spiriadi - 2.5 years of suspended sentence for believing in God.