Case of Sveshnikov in Kovrov

Case History

In August 2023, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case, in which Mikhail Sveshnikov, a father of four children, became a defendant. After the search, the believer spent 24 hours in a temporary detention center, almost 4 months under house arrest, and later he was placed under a ban on certain actions. The investigation considered his participation in the services of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be extremism. In July 2024, the case went to court.
Timeline

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2)

    Investigator for especially important cases of the Investigative Department for the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Vladimir Region Y. N. Nikulin initiates a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization) against 54-year-old Mikhail Sveshnikov.

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    Search Case initiated House arrest Interrogation Temporary detention facility

    Two law enforcement officers detain Mikhail Sveshnikov on the street near his house. They run up to him from behind and knock him to the ground. The believer is searched and his smartphone is seized. Senior Lieutenant of Justice A. O. Blokhin reads out the decision of the Kovrov City Court on the initiation of a criminal case and the conduct of a search. During the investigative actions, video is being filmed. Law enforcement officers seize electronic devices, bank cards, greeting cards. Mikhail and his son are taken for interrogation. Then Mikhail was escorted to the temporary detention center in Kameshkovo. The interrogation of his son continues until late in the evening.

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    House arrest

    The Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region chooses a measure of restraint for Mikhail Sveshnikov in the form of house arrest.

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    Prohibition of certain actions

    The court changes Mikhail Sveshnikov's measure of restraint to a ban on certain actions.

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    Prohibition of certain actions

    The court extends Sveshnikov's measure of restraint, but at the same time reduces the time of the ban on leaving the apartment. He is still unable to communicate with witnesses in the criminal case, to send and receive postal and telegraphic items, as well as to use communications and the Internet.

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    Art. 282.2 (2)

    Investigator A. Zhokin makes a decision to bring Mikhail Sveshnikov as an accused. According to the investigation, the believer, among other things, "in order to increase the psychological effect on those present [at the services] ... carried out religious performances... personally read religious texts to those present."

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    Case went to court

    The believers' case is sent to the Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region and is referred to Judge Natalia Novikova for consideration.

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