Photo: Alexey Metzger with his wife Irina
On August 22, 2019, a 43-year-old resident of Perm, Alexei Metzger, was officially prosecuted for alleged participation in extremist activities. He signed a recognizance not to leave. The believer faces up to 6 years in prison just for practicing his religion.
Despite the absence of victims, law enforcement agencies are convinced that Metzger's actions constitute a serious crime. E. Leontiev, an investigator for especially important cases, opened a criminal case against another peaceful believer under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization). The accused has already begun to familiarize himself with the materials of the case. It will then be taken to court.
Alexey Metzger has become the fifth resident of the Perm Territory against whom a criminal case has been initiated in connection with the practice of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. His case was separated from the case of Alexander Solovyov, who had already been convicted under a similar article. On July 4, 2019, he was sentenced to a fine of 300 thousand rubles. Three more residents of the Perm region are now under investigation: Boris Burylov, Viktor Kuchkov and Igor Turik.
These criminal cases are a direct consequence of the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to liquidate and ban the activities of all Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in Russia. Law enforcement officers inappropriately interpret joint confession of religion as participation in extremist activities, which contradicts Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which guarantees freedom of religion for all.
