In the photo from left to right from top to bottom: Sergey Logunov, Alexey Matveev, Vladimir Kochnev, Nikolai Zhugin, Pavel Lekontsev, Vladislav Kolbanov
On October 21 and 22, 2019, a new charge was brought against six believers from Orenburg, and the articles under which each of the believers is accused were changed (Articles 282.2, parts 1 and 2, as well as Article 282.3). The preliminary investigation of the case is coming to an end, followed by the stage of familiarization with the case materials.
Sergey Logunov, who is under recognizance not to leave, has now been charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization. Vladimir Kochnev, who spent 78 days in a pre-trial detention center and 70 days under house arrest and is now banned from certain actions, is charged under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (participation in the activities of an extremist organization). The same charge was brought against Nikolai Zhugin, Alexei Matveev and Pavel Lekontsev. Vladislav Kolbanov, in addition, is charged under Article 282.3 (financing of extremist activities). He spent 2 days in a temporary detention facility and 146 days under house arrest, and is currently prohibited from certain activities.
These peaceful Orenburg residents became accused after a major raid by security forces on May 16, 2018. Relatives and friends of believers are seriously concerned about what is happening, because these respectable citizens face real prison terms just because they studied the Bible. The support of loved ones helps them cope with this ordeal, and they all hope for a fair trial.
