Photo: Alexey and Irina Metzger

Photo: Alexey and Irina Metzger

Photo: Alexey and Irina Metzger

Criminal trial

A Perm prosecutor requested a three-year prison sentence for Aleksey Metzger because of his religion

Perm Territory

On November 5, 2019, at a hearing in the Ordzhonikidze District Court of Perm, the prosecutor's office requested a sentence of 3 years in prison for Alexei Metzger. He is accused of participating in extremist activities (Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code), which is how the prosecution interprets Bible discussions and joint prayers.

According to the prosecutor's office, the accused professed the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, but had to stop doing so after the closure of legal entities to which he had never had any relation. On November 5, the hearing of arguments in this case took place. On November 12, Alexei Metzger will deliver his final speech, followed by the sentencing.

The details of the hearings can be followed in the updated chronicle.

Case of Metsger in Perm

Case History
On April 25, 2019, A. E. Leontiev, investigator of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Perm Territory, opened a criminal case against 43-year-old Aleksey Metzger for participation in extremist activities (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) solely on the basis that he professes the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is based on audio recordings of peaceful discussion of biblical teachings by believers. Aleksey’s case was separated from the criminal case of Aleksandr Solovyov, another believer from Perm. Thanks to his faith, Alexey was able to get rid of bad habits and create a strong family. Despite all this, the investigation charged a simple civil engineer with a serious criminal article. On November 14, 2019, Judge Svetlana Chereneva from the Ordzhonikidze District Court of Perm found the believer guilty and sentenced him to a fine of 350 thousand rubles. The Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation dismissed the appeal against the decision of the lower court.
Timeline

Persons in case

Metsger
Aleksey

Criminal case

Region:
Perm Territory
Locality:
Perm
Suspected of:
according to the investigation, he "propagandized the activity of a banned organization, directly pa​rticipated in the events conducted by Jehovah's Witnesses, and commited other actions aimed at conducting and participating in such events"
Court case number:
11902570030000022
Initiated:
June 10, 2019
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Perm Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-461/2019
Court:
Орджоникидзевский районный суд Перми
Judge:
Светлана Черенева
Case History