The case of Kozhushko and Others in Nizhnyaya Tura

Case History

In March 2023, a criminal case was initiated against the peaceful citizens of Lesnoy, Pavel Loshchinin and Andrey Bannykh, as well as Andrey Kozhushko who lives in the village of Tayezhnyi. For discussing the Bible together, the investigation suspects the believers of “organizing the study of extremist materials and other religious literature”. In April, officers of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation conducted searches at 6 addresses of Jehovah’s Witnesses as part of this case. Andrey Bannykh is one of the believers whose complaint was satisfied by the ECHR, declaring the prosecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia unlawful.
Timeline

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    March 28, 2023 Case initiated

    The Investigation Department of the Lesnoy Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Sverdlovsk Region is initiating a criminal case against Andrey Kozhushko, Andrey Bannykh and Pavel Loshchinin under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organizing the activities of an extremist organization).

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    April 14, 2023 Search

    Searches are being conducted at at least 6 addresses of local Jehovah's Witnesses. During the search, all electronic devices and personal records are seized from believers. The security forces seized a large amount of personal savings from one family. At least five citizens are being interrogated.