The Case of Tutinova and Others in Elista

Senior investigator for especially important cases, Captain of Justice Dmitry Menkenov initiates a criminal case against 62-year-old Kishta Tutinova for organizing the activities of an extremist organization (part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The investigation believes that Tutinova, who professes the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, at home "conducts religious meetings and directly participates in them in the mode of online conferences, and also involves residents of the region in the activities of this organization."

Law enforcement officers conduct searches in the homes of Kishta Tutinova, Tsagan Khalgaeva and Ekaterina Menkova. The latter becomes ill. FSB officers call an ambulance. Due to her poor health, the believer is not interrogated, but she is given a summons to appear before the investigator on another day.

Kishta Tutinova and Tsagan Khalgaeva are taken for interrogation. Tsagan indicates in the interrogation protocol that her words are distorted. A sample of her voice and handwriting is taken from her.

After interrogation, Kishta Tutinova is taken to the temporary detention facility.

Tsagan Khalgaeva, having come to work, learns that she was dismissed in connection with a criminal case.

The judge of the Elista City Court, Guzel Olyakhinova, chooses a measure of restraint in the form of house arrest for Kishte Tutinova.

Ekaterina Menkova comes on a summons for interrogation to investigator Dmitry Menkenov. According to the believer, he is trying to put pressure on her, preventing her from using Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which gives her the right not to testify against herself and her loved ones. The interrogation lasts about 3 hours.

The Court of Appeal cancels Kishte Tutinova's house arrest and imposes a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions.

Major of Justice Menkenov is prosecuting 41-year-old Ekaterina Menkova and 45-year-old Tsagan Khalgaeva as defendants under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The investigator considers the meeting of friends to discuss the Bible a crime of an extremist nature.

The investigator softens Kishte Tutinova's preventive measure and takes a written undertaking not to leave the place from her. She spent six months under a ban on certain actions.

The case goes to the Elista City Court. It will be considered by judge Alexei Polevshchikov.

Kishta Tutinova refuses a lawyer by appointment, a lawyer enters the case by agreement. The judge grants the request for the participation of two public defenders in the case, along with lawyers.

The prosecutor reads out the charges. The defendants plead not guilty.

Lawyers express their attitude to the charges.

The evidence of the prosecution is being examined. The case materials from the first 10 volumes, including the conclusions of the examinations, are announced.

The prosecution is interrogating the brother of Ekaterina Menkova. He describes his sister as a kind, sympathetic and literate person who graduated from the institute with honors. The second witness reports that he does not know any of the defendants.

Then the court proceeds to the study of material evidence - disks with video recordings made secretly in Tutinova's room. In the recordings, the defendant is talking via video conferencing with two women on religious and domestic topics.

The prosecutor asks for punishment: for Kishta Tutinova - 6 years probation with a probationary period of 4 years, for Tsagan Khalgaeva - 3 years probation with a probation period of 2 years, for Ekaterina Menkova - 2 years and 6 months probation with a probation period of 2 years.

The debate of the parties is taking place. Believers deliver the last word.

The judge resumes the judicial investigation. Sentencing is postponed.