Investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Margarita Chupina initiates a criminal case for participation in the activities of an extremist organization against unidentified persons who, in her opinion, are "active participants in the religious organization "Jehovah's Witnesses "Slavgorod".
Sergey Barsukov, 53, and Alik Yeliseyev, 34, were charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization.
The case is submitted to the Slavgorod City Court of the Altai Territory. He was appointed to judge Olga Filippova.
The prosecutor announces the charge. The defendants do not admit their guilt. Alik Yeliseyev notes: "After 2017, I still had the right as a believer to discuss the Bible with my acquaintances at meetings for worship. This is exactly what the investigating authorities are charging me with."
At the hearing, which is being held behind closed doors, religious scholar Mirra Kashaeva is being interrogated. She considers religious meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses prohibited. According to the expert, phrases such as "thank you" or "please answer" indicate the leadership of the meeting.
A secret witness Panchenko is also being interrogated. From his testimony it follows that the worship meetings were held via videoconference, their participants read and discussed the Bible.