Case of Lemeshev in Dyurtyuli

Dyurtyulinsky Investigative Division of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Republic of Bashkortostan initiates a criminal case for faith under Article 282.2 (1); "Continuation of the illegal activities of the banned organization [the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses Ufa], including the convening of meetings, the organization of the recruitment of new members" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case). Anton Lemeshev (born in 1987) becomes an innocent victim of law enforcement officers.

In Dyurtyuli (Bashkortostan), at least 11 searches are carried out in the homes of citizens who are suspected of professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. 31-year-old Anton Lemeshev was arrested, he is sent to the pre-trial detention center until November 20, 2018.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan softens the measure of restraint for Anton Lemeshev. He is transferred to house arrest after 14 days spent in pre-trial detention center No. 5 in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The court prohibits him from correspondence and telephone conversations, as well as communication with people involved in his criminal case as witnesses or suspects.

The court again softens the measure of restraint for Lemeshev from house arrest to recognizance not to leave.

The head of the investigation department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Bashkortostan instructs a group consisting of four investigators to conduct a preliminary investigation in a criminal case. As stated in the resolution, this is due to the fact that the investigation of a criminal case is particularly complex and requires a large number of investigative actions.