Aleksey Metsger’s Speech During Court Debate in Perm

12 November 2019

Perm Territory

Photo: Aleksey Metsger with his wife Irina

On November 5, 2019, in the Ordzhonikidze District Court of Perm, Aleksey Metsger cited extensive evidence that reading and discussing the Bible is not a crime, but part of the everyday life of a believer. Read the full text of his speech below in Russian. His sentence is expected November 12.

Read full text in Russian

Case of Metsger in Perm

Region:

Perm Territory

Locality:

Perm

Case number:

11902570030000022

Number of the case in court:

1-461/2019

Current stage:

verdict took effect

Suspected of:

according to the investigation, he "propagandized the activity of a banned organization, directly participated in the events conducted by Jehovah's Witnesses, and commited other actions aimed at conducting and participating in such events"

Article of the Russian Criminal Code:

282.2 (2)

Investigating:

Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Perm Territory

Case initiated:

10 June 2019

`Persons in the case`

`Aleksey` `Metsger`

`Timeline`

14.12.2017	Семейная пара, которая ранее посещала встречи Свидетелей Иеговы, негласно используя диктофоны, ведет с Соловьёвым и Мецгером разговоры на религиозные темы у себя дома.
17.12.2017	В ДК им. Чехова на богослужение религиозной группы Свидетелей Иеговы приходит мужчина, который ранее посещал такие встречи. С использованием записывающего устройства, выданного оперативным сотрудником, ведет аудиозапись мирного обсуждения верующими библейских учений и пророчеств.
26.03.2019	Дело Алексея Мецгера выделяется в отдельное производство.

Read in Russian