Case of Spirichev in Vyselki

Case History

In May 2023, the Investigative Committee for the Krasnodar Territory initiated a criminal case against Viktor Spirichev, a believer from the village of Vyselki. The year before, massive searches took place in the region, affecting at least 51 people. Victor was accused of participating in organizing the activities of an extremist organization, and his accounts were blocked. After interrogation, the believer was released under a recognizance agreement. In December 2023, the case went to the district court.
Timeline

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    February 13, 2022 Search
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    May 23, 2023 Case initiated

    Senior investigator of the Korenovsky MRSO of the Investigative Committee of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnodar Territory, Senior Lieutenant of Justice R. Latysh initiates a criminal case against Viktor Spirichev under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

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    July 11, 2023 Interrogation

    Spirichev is interrogated as a suspect.

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    July 22, 2023 Interrogation Recognizance agreement

    The believer is charged. He is interrogated in his new status, after which he is released on recognizance not to leave.

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    December 28, 2023 Case went to court

    The case is submitted to the Vyselkovsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory. It will be considered by judge Ruslan Teplukhin.

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    January 30, 2024 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    20 people are allowed into the meeting room, including the wife of Viktor Spirichev.

    The court asks the opinion of the parties on the merger of seven criminal cases of believers into one on the previously filed petition of the defendant Spirichev. The prosecution and the defense file a motion to adjourn the trial for familiarization with the case materials.

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    February 13, 2024 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The court rejects the previously filed petition to merge seven criminal cases of believers into one.

    The lawyer requests that the case be returned to the prosecutor on the grounds that Spirichev is charged with participating in the activities of four religious organizations, none of which was liquidated by a court decision. The defense also notes that the actions of the defendant, who, in the opinion of the prosecution, participated in the activities of the liquidated religious association, were not specified.

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    March 6, 2024 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The court rejects the motion of the defense to return the case to the prosecutor.

    The state prosecutor reads out the charge, and the defendant Viktor Spirichev expresses his attitude towards him. He explains: "The indictment says that I committed a crime against the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the state. This is contrary to my beliefs based on the Bible. I believe that my God Jehovah expects me to obey the state, its laws, respect those who are endowed with power... I regularly pay taxes, I do not participate in rallies or protests."

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    June 26, 2024 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    About 15 people come to the hearing to support the believer. The state prosecutor reads out the written materials of the case, including the protocol of the search and the examination of religious scholar Pavel Boyko.

    The judge grants the motion of the state prosecutor to postpone the hearing due to the large volume of case materials and the need for preparation.