Photo: Andrey Stupnikov. District Court of Krasnoyarsk (2018)
In Krasnoyarsk, a believer was sent to a pre-trial detention center for 2 months
Krasnoyarsk TerritoryOn July 4, 2018, at least 70 people came to the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Krasnoyarsk to support 44-year-old Andrey Stupnikov, who was arrested the day before because of his religion. After a 45-minute hearing, Judge Marina Belova chose a measure of restraint for him in the form of 2-month detention, until September 2, 2018.
It became known that a criminal case was initiated against Andrey Stupnikov under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - "organization of the activities of an extremist organization". He was arrested by FSB officers. Detention in court was sought by investigator S. Brigida and prosecutor T. Lazovskaya. The special services presented to the court the materials of operational-search activities, according to which Andrei Stupnikov planned to take part in the international congress of Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany. In the arrest warrant, the judge noted that in Germany Stupnikov "can obtain political asylum, knowing that criminal prosecution is being conducted against him." Therefore, the most severe measure of restraint was chosen.
The Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights referred to such criminal cases in its appeal to the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia. "The accusations of citizens that they read the Bible together and pray to God are interpreted as "continuation of the activities of an extremist organization." The Council considers that such an interpretation is not consistent with the legal position of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. There is a contradiction between the declared position of the Government of the Russian Federation and law enforcement practice. This cannot but cause concern, since criminal prosecutions and arrests have become systemic."
Given such an arbitrary interpretation of the law, it requires great civic courage and a clear conscience before people and God to come to court and support fellow believers (see 35-second video).