The case of Khvostov and Others in Sharypov

Case History

A series of searches that took place in April 2019 in the town of Sharypovo affected several families of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Initially, the investigative actions were carried out in the framework of the case against Anton Ostapenko. After 2.5 years, the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory opened a criminal case against 7 more male believers aged 29 to 73 years. Anatoliy Khvostov, Dmitry Gorelov, Maksim Vigul, Aleksandr Miroshnichenko, Eldar Mammadov, Vladimir Osintsev and Gennadiy Solomentsev are suspected of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. In May-June 2022, repeated searches were carried out at the homes of Vigul, Miroshnichenko, Osintsev and Khvostov.

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    April 19, 2019

    As part of the criminal case against Anton Ostapenko , searches are being conducted at the homes of Dmitry Gorelov, Maksim Vigul, Oleksandr Miroshnichenko, Eldar Mammadov, Vladimir Osintsev, Anatoliy Khvostov and Gennadiy Solomentsev.

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    November 17, 2021

    Senior Investigator of the Investigation Department for the Sharypovsky District of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia, Senior Lieutenant of Justice Y. V. Zubanov initiates a criminal case against believers. Based on the report of senior investigator Kunko, believers Anatoly Khvostov, Dmitry Gorelov, Maksim Vigul, Aleksandr Miroshnichenko, Eldar Mammadov, Vladimir Osintsev, Gennady Solomentsev are suspected of participating in the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

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    December 10 — 11, 2021

    The measure of restraint - the obligation to appear (to appear in a timely manner at the summons of the court at the court session, and in case of a change of place of residence, place of stay or location, immediately inform the court about it) - is elected to Aleksandr Miroshnichenko and Eldar Mammadov.

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    May 28, 2022

    Investigator of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia, Senior Lieutenant of Justice Ekaterina Korotaeva, interrogates a resident of Sharypov as a witness in the case. The man uses Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

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    May 29, 2022

    At about 8 a.m., the apartment of Maksim Vigul and his wife is searched again, which lasts about 2 hours. Earlier, on April 19, 2019, security forces had already invaded their home.

    The search is carried out by investigator of the Investigative Committee Ekaterina Korotayeva and representative of the FSB Dmitry Konovalov in the presence of two witnesses. During the search, the system unit of the computer, sheets with poems of classics and letters from friends are seized.

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    May 30, 2022

    Oleksandr Miroshnichenko is being searched.

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    May 31, 2022

    The security forces come to search Vladimir Osintsev and seize his personal notes.

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    June 1, 2022

    Anatoly Khvostov's house is being searched.