Hearings on the second criminal case for faith in the republic begin in the Elbrus region

On July 16, 2018, the Maysky District Court of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic begins hearings in the criminal case against local believer Yuriy Zalipayev, who became a victim of criminal prosecution under Part 1 of Article 282 and Part 1 of Article 280 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Incitement to hatred or enmity" and "public calls for extremist activity"). The case was initiated after printed materials included in the FSEM were planted in the worship building of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The initiation of this criminal case became known in August 2017. The criminal prosecution became possible after printed materials included in the FSEM were planted in the worship building of Jehovah's Witnesses. The believer faces up to 5 years in prison with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.

The preliminary hearing in the case was held behind closed doors on July 4, 2018 by Judge Yelena Kudryavtseva. A similar case against Arkadi Hakobyan is already being heard in the district court of Prokhladny (Kabardino-Balkaria).