A Witness in the Suvorovs Case from Chelyabinsk Became an Accused. Pavel Popov will be in the Dock Because of His Faith

On May 18, 2021, security officials searched the house of Pavel Popov, 44, from Yemanzhelinsk, a city about 40 kilometers from Chelyabinsk. The believer was detained, but later released on recognizance agreement. A criminal case was initiated under Part 1 of Art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organization of extremist activities).

At 7:00 am, Russian Guard officers knocked loudly at the apartment of the Popovs and ordered to open the door. They put Pavel against the wall with his hands up. Later, the investigator allowed the believer to move freely around his flat. The 5-hour search was conducted in the presence of attesting witnesses who said they were law college students and future police officers. Pavel's garage and car were also examined. Law enforcers seized the Popovs' phones, tablets, computers, as well as a registration certificate for a car, which, according to the investigator, would be a pledge in case of a fine for the believer.

After the search, the entire Popov family, including their 13-year-old daughter, was taken to the Chelyabinsk Investigative Committee for interrogation. Investigator Aleksandr Chepenko acquainted Pavel with the preliminary materials of the criminal case initiated on April 22, 2021. The documents turned out to be very similar to the materials of the case of another believer from Chelyabinsk, Valentina Suvorova. Pavel does not consider himself guilty of a “crime” of simply practicing religion.

Two years ago, on March 26, 2020, Pavel Popov was already searched, but after interrogation he was released. The current criminal case against Popov was separated from the case of Valentina Suvorova, who was sentenced to 2 years probation for her faith. Also in Chelyabinsk, Vladimir Suvorov and Dmitriy Vinogradov are persecuted for their faith.