The Case of Yelena Chernykh in Prokopyevsk

FSB officers search the house of Yuri Chernykh and his wife Yelena. After the searches, they are taken for interrogation to the FSB department in Prokopyevsk. It turns out that the investigative actions are taking place in the framework of the criminal case against Andrei Vlasov.

Lieutenant Colonel of Justice Natalia Guzeeva, investigator for internal affairs of the investigative department for the city of Prokopyevsk of the investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass, initiates a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a banned organization) against unidentified persons.

According to the investigation, some residents of Prokopyevsk "out of extremist motives took part in the activities of an extremist organization ... consisting in the convocation of meetings... organizing religious speeches and services at these meetings... carrying out the preaching work." This is how the investigation characterizes the peaceful worship of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Investigator Tatyana Zorina attracts Elena Chernykh as an accused and takes from her a written undertaking not to leave.

The case against Elena Chernykh and Vera Semicheva is submitted to the Central District Court of Prokopyevsk. It will be considered by judge Elena Karamova.

Court hearings begin. To support the believers, 28 people come to the courthouse.

The prosecutor reads out the charge, the defendants express their disagreement with it.

In connection with the failure of prosecution witnesses to appear at the hearing, the court announces the case materials.

A prosecution witness is being questioned. Yelena Chernykh asks him to indicate exactly when and under what circumstances she called for the undermining of the state system, the destruction of the family and the incitement of religious hatred. To all these questions, the witness replies that he does not remember, because a lot of time has passed.

During the hearing, Elena Chernykh becomes ill, she is taken to the hospital by ambulance. The meeting was adjourned.

Lawyers file a motion to declassify the secret witness. The court rejects it.

The court listens to audio recordings of worship services and Bible discussions.

The secret witness Reutov, who attended meetings of believers and kept a secret recording, is being interrogated. He knows the defendant personally, but he has not heard her make negative statements about other religions or calls to disobey the authorities. The defense draws attention to the contradictions in the testimony of the witness.

Yelena asks the court to attach to the case the materials prepared by the defense to prove her innocence. The judge refuses.

Referee: Elena Karamova. Central District Court of Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo Region (Karl Liebknecht St., 9). Time: 10:00.