Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Criminal trial

In Krasnoyarsk, Two More Local Residents Accused of Extremism, Raising Number Prosecuted for Their Faith in the Region to 12

Krasnoyarsk Territory

Residents of Krasnoyarsk, 53-year-old Vitaliy Sukhov and 55-year-old Igor Gusev, are accused of extremism only because they discussed the Bible with fellow believers and prayed to God Jehovah.

A criminal case under part 1 of article 282.2 (organization of activities of the banned community) was brought on May 8th, 2020 by Lieutenant Filishkan P. V, a senior investigator of the Investigative Department for Zheleznodorozhny district of Krasnoyarsk of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Russian Federation Investigative Committee for Krasnoyarsk region and Khakassia.

Thus, 12 believers in Krasnoyarsk region are already accused of crimes against society and the state, although they have not committed any crimes. The international community and the Russian public consider the prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia unjustified and demand that the violation of the rights of believers be stopped immediately the violation of believers' rights.

[i18n] Clarification. As it became known on May 26, 2020, no criminal case was initiated against Igor Gusev. The security forces summoned him for questioning as a witness in the criminal case of Vitaliy Sukhov. In total, there are 11 believers in the region, against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated.

Sukhov's case in Krasnoyarsk

Case History
In May 2020, representatives of law enforcement agencies came to the father of many children, Vitaly Sukhov, and several of his fellow believers with a search. The investigation accused Sukhov of allegedly “organizing religious performances and services.” The believer himself said: “I have never been a member of any extremist organizations. I am a peaceful person, I have a big family.” In October 2020, the court seized the believer’s car, depriving him of the right to dispose of his property. Although the indictment did not indicate specific facts confirming the commission of a crime by Sukhov, in March 2021 the case was submitted to the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Krasnoyarsk. Such facts were also not established in court, and even the prosecution witnesses who testified could not confirm the illegality of the believer’s actions. On December 21, 2021, Judge Svetlana Patsalyuk sentenced Vitaliy Sukhov to 6 years of suspended imprisonment. In March 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld this decision.
Timeline

Persons in case

Sukhov
Vitaliy

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnoyarsk Territory
Locality:
Krasnoyarsk
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, he "organized religious performances and services, as well as propaganda of the activities of the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses 'Krasnoyarsk'"
Court case number:
12002040002000028
Initiated:
May 8, 2020
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-209/2021
Court:
Железнодорожный районный суд г. Красноярска
Judge:
Светлана Пацалюк
Case History