Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

The Republic of Tyva became the 61st region of Russia where Jehovah's Witnesses are persecuted. A believer was placed in a temporary detention facility in the city of Kyzyl

Tyva

On January 28, 2021 the FSB conducted searches on believers in Kyzyl, the capital of the Tyva Republic. 41 year-old Anatoliy Senin was detained and placed in the temporary detention center. It became known that a criminal case was opened against him under an "extremist" article. In the next two days the court will decide on the question of a believer's preventive measure.

Update. On January 30, 2021, the court placed 2 believers under house arrest: 39-year-old Vitaliy Manzyrykchi and 41-year-old Anatoliy Senin. Both spent 2 days behind bars, in a temporary detention center. During interrogations, investigators are interested in former members of the local religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city of Kyzyl, which was liquidated in April 2017 by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Local believers notice themselves being surveilled.

In the evening, around 6:30 p. m. law enforcers came to search at least four local families. After a three-hour search of Anatoliy Senin , he was detained and taken to the investigative department for questioning. Also, law enforcement officers searched and questioned a man who did not share the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. Electronic devices were seized from him.

The Republic of Tuva, located on the border with Mongolia, became the 61st region of Russia where the authorities persecute Jehovah's Witnesses, even though the Supreme Court has not banned believers from practicing their religion.

The Case of Senin in Kyzyl

Case History
In January 2021, the FSB conducted searches at the homes of believers in the city of Kyzyl. Anatoliy Senin and Vitaliy Manzyrykchi were detained and placed in a temporary detention facility. After 2 days, the court placed them under house arrest, and after 2 months under a recognizance agreement. In January 2022, the criminal case against Vitaliy Manzyrykchi was dropped without the right to rehabilitation, and Anatoliy Senin was charged. The Investigative Committee considered the holding of religious services as organizing the activity of an extremist organization. In February of the same year, the materials of the criminal case against Senin were submitted to the court. The prosecutor requested that the believer be sentenced to 7 years imprisonment. In January 2023, the court gave Anatoliy Senin a 6-year suspended sentence. There were two appeals against this decision. The lawyer asked for the sentence to be cancelled due to violations, and the prosecutor - to toughen it due to “excessive leniency”. The court of appeal upheld the verdict of the court of first instance.
Timeline

Persons in case

Manzyrykchi
Vitaliy
Senin
Anatoliy

Criminal case

Region:
Tyva
Locality:
Kyzyl
Suspected of:
According to investigators, the believer, "realizing his criminal intent," organized the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kyzyl: he broadcast religious videos, encouraged the audience to pray, sing religious songs and study the Bible.
Court case number:
12102930009007011
Initiated:
January 28, 2021
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Tyva
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-886/2022
Court of First Instance:
Кызылский городской суд Республики Тыва
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Вячеслав Кызыл-оол
Case History