Case of Okhrimchuk in Rostov-on-Don

Early in the morning, security forces in masks and bulletproof vests under the leadership of A. A. Chaikin invaded the apartment of Andrey Okhrimchuk and conducted a search in the presence of his 11-year-old daughter. The believer is not allowed to observe the search, which takes place simultaneously in all rooms. Electronic devices and Bibles are seized from the spouses. In addition to the apartment, Andrey's car is also searched. All family members are under a lot of stress. The believer's wife subsequently has to seek medical help and undergo treatment.

About 3 hours later, Ohrimchuk was taken for interrogation to the Center for Countering Extremism.

The investigator for especially important cases, Major I. A. Kalnitsky, initiates a criminal case against Andrey Okhrimchuk under two articles - participation in the activities of a banned organization and its financing - respectively Article 282.2 (2) and Article 282.3 (1) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The believer is accused of "taking part in an illegal religious meeting ... including under the leadership of A.M. Parkov, in respect of whom a criminal case was [initiated]." The investigation also found that money transfers were made from Okhrimchuk's bank card to the cards of Semyon Baibak and Arsen Avanesov. According to the investigator, the funds were intended to pay for the rent of the premises, the purchase of computer equipment, as well as stationery and household supplies "to ensure the activities of an extremist organization."

Andriy Okhrimchuk is elected a measure of restraint in the form of a written undertaking not to leave.

Andrey Okhrimchuk is included in the list of extremists of Rosfinmonitoring, his bank accounts are blocked. Earlier, investigator Kalnitsky chose a preventive measure against him in the form of a written undertaking not to leave.

The believer is formally charged with committing crimes under Part 2 of Article 282.2 and Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

The criminal case is submitted to the Leninsky District Court of Rostov-on-Don and appointed to Judge Olga Borokhova.

The indictment is read out in court and the protocols of the interrogation of two witnesses, one of whom is an operative of the Department of Economic Affairs, are read out.

Andriy Okhrimchuk expresses his attitude to the charges: "I did not and could not have a motive of hatred or enmity. My life, as well as the actions that I am accused of, are exclusively peaceful." The believer continues: "I am a Christian. My religious views are based on the Bible and are expressed in two basic commandments: love of God and love of people. Therefore, they are the exact opposite of what is called extremism. The materials of the criminal case do not prove the opposite. [...] I want to state that I do not plead guilty and believe that the charge against me is illegal."

The court is interrogating professor, specialist in the field of religious studies and philosophy of religion S. N. Astapov. He is confused in his testimony, has outdated information about Jehovah's Witnesses, and declares that their worship services are banned, although no court in Russia has banned this belief.

The hearing is attended by prosecutor I. V. Napalkova, who was the state prosecutor in the trials of other Jehovah's Witnesses. She tells other prosecutors how to conduct interrogations.

The court is interrogating Andriy Okhrimchuk. When asked by the lawyer whether the defendant called for the justification of terrorism, racial and national hatred and other violations of the rights of citizens, the believer answers: "No, and never did it."

During the debate, the prosecutor requested a sentence of 4 years of suspended imprisonment and restriction of liberty for a period of 1 year for Andriy Okhrimchuk.

Referee: Olga Borokhova. Leninsky District Court of Rostov-on-Don (9 Pushkinskaya Street, Rostov-on-Don). Time: 14:00.

An appeal in the Rostov Regional Court upholds the conviction of Andrey Okhrimchuk and leaves the sentence unchanged: 4 years suspended.

The Fourth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction, located in Krasnodar, presided over by Judge Roman Podolsky, dismisses Andrey Okhrimchuk's appeal. The verdict — 4 years of suspended sentence and 1 year of restriction of freedom — remains in force.