Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

In the Kovrov District of the Vladimir Region, Raids of Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses Resumed. A criminal case has been initiated

Vladimir Region

On August 23, 2023, searches were carried out at two addresses in the city of Kovrov, as well as at one address in the village of Melekhovo. Law enforcement officers detained Aleksandr Popov, 36, and Mikhail Sveshnikov, 53, later they were placed under house arrest.

A criminal case against Sveshnikov had been initiated a day earlier by Yu. Nikulin from the Investigative Department for Kovrov of the RF Investigative Committee for the Vladimir Region. In his opinion, Mikhail "took part in religious meetings" and "spoke at them", which law enforcement officers groundlessly equate with participating in the activity of a liquidated legal entity of Jehovah's Witnesses (Article 282.2(2) of the RF Criminal Code).

It is still unknown in connection with which case investigative measures against Popov were carried out.

In the Vladimir Region, three more believers are facing criminal prosecution. Two of them have already been sentenced with real terms; the court considered the term being served during the investigation. The case of another believer is in the final stages of judicial investigation.

Russian and foreign state, political and public organizations condemn the repression of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Russian Federation.

Case of Sveshnikov in Kovrov

Case History
In August 2023, the Investigative Committee for the Vladimir Region opened a criminal case, the defendant of which was the father of many children, Mikhail Sveshnikov. At the time of his arrest, Mikhail was thrown to the ground and his hands were twisted behind his back. After the searches, the believer was detained for a day, and then placed under house arrest. The investigation considered his participation in the worship services of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be extremism.
Timeline

Persons in case

Sveshnikov
Mikhail

Criminal case

Region:
Vladimir Region
Locality:
Carpets
Suspected of:
"took part in religious meetings ... performed at them ... carried out work to introduce the ideology of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses" (from the search warrant)
Court case number:
12302170013000077
Initiated:
August 22, 2023
Current case stage:
Preliminary investigation
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate for the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Vladimir Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Case History

Case of Popov in Kovrov

Case History
In August 2023, the Investigative Committee for the Vladimir Region opened a criminal case, the defendant of which was Alexander Popov from Kovrov. Law enforcement officers took him directly from his place of work and took him for interrogation, then searched his home. At the same time, Alexander’s elderly parents were searched. After that, the man was placed under house arrest, and in December 2023, he was banned from certain actions. The investigation considered the discussion of the Bible among friends via the Internet to be “a serious crime against state power.”
Timeline

Persons in case

Popov
Aleksandr

Criminal case

Region:
Vladimir Region
Locality:
Carpets
Court case number:
12302170010000076
Initiated:
August 22, 2023
Current case stage:
Preliminary investigation
Investigating:
SO in the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Vladimir region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Case History