Court of Cassation Did Not Change the Verdict Against Believers From Kazan

On August 13, 2024, the Sixth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Samara upheld the verdict against the Bochkarevs and Tatyana Obizhestvit: for the two women suspended sentences — from 2 to 2.5 years, for Andrey Bochkarev — 3 years and 1 month in a penal colony. His term is considered to be served, taking into account his stay in a pretrial detention center.

In the cassation appeal, the believers pointed to the fact that the guilty verdict was not based on evidence, that the defendants committed any extremist actions or made statements inciting hatred but was based on assumptions. They emphasized that Jehovah's Witnesses treat people of other religions with kindness, love and tolerance.

The court once again recognized it as a crime to study the Bible together with friends and other people. The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and The European Court of Human Rights have ruled that meetings for worship of Jehovah's Witnesses and their joint performance of rites do not constitute a crime.