Investigator for especially important cases of the Investigative Directorate for the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Vladimir Region, Y. Nikulin, initiates a criminal case against Oleg Sakun. According to the investigator, Oleg "took part in religious meetings, spoke at them, served as an assistant, namely ... carrying out work to introduce the ideology of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city of Kovrov among the civil masses."
Oleg Sakun's apartment is being searched, authorized by the judge of the Kovrov city court, Yuri Shestopalov.
The believer is charged and placed in a temporary detention facility.
Oleg Sakun is released under house arrest.
The measure of restraint for a believer is changed to a ban on certain actions.
Sakun is given a recognizance not to leave and proper behavior.
Investigator Y. Nikulin notifies the believer of the end of the preliminary investigation. The accused proceeds to familiarize himself with the materials of the case.
The case goes to the Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region. It will be considered by judge Artem Ozhev.
Before the hearing, one of the witnesses files a motion to retract the testimony given in the pre-trial procedure, since he was subjected to pressure and torture by law enforcement agencies. During the hearing, the prosecutor agrees that the court attach the motion to the case.
The believer testifies. He notes that the investigation did not prove his "motives of enmity and hatred", did not find a single victim, and the prosecution witnesses did not know him personally, so they could not say anything on the merits.
Oleg Sakun says that the prosecution ascribes to him a criminal intent aimed at continuing the activities of an extremist organization, while he simply took part in the worship services of Jehovah's Witnesses. As an example, the defendant cites an outerwear factory, which is a legal entity, which went bankrupt and ceased its activities in the country. The defendant asks: "Can it be concluded that former factory workers cannot sew clothes for their own needs or for the needs of other people? Will their actions be considered a continuation of the activities of the legal entity?" The believer emphasizes that this example clearly illustrates that the liquidation of the legal entity "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" has nothing to do with the peaceful religious services of the individuals of whose participation he is accused.