The Verdict in One of the Two Cases Against Yevgeniy Sokolov Has Entered into Force. The Sentence Remained Unchanged - Three Years Suspended

On August 20, 2024, an appeal in the Amur Regional Court left the verdict unchanged in the case against Yevgeniy Sokolov in Zeya. The believer could not attend the court hearing in person, so he took part in it via video conferencing.

Addressing the panel in the court of appeal, Yevgeniy stated that Jehovah's Witnesses are citizens who respect the authorities, observe the laws of their country, pay taxes and do not participate in protests. He noted: "We don't just pretend to be law-abiding people... We truly serve God, and our words are not at variance with our deeds."

The believer was criminally charged for "preparing and conducting religious meetings." In this regard, he reminded the court that the right to practice the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Yevgeniy said: "If I stopped preaching and meetings with others, then I would be breaking God's own law. And in this instance there really will be no excuse for me."

Yevgeniy Sokolov is being prosecuted simultaneously in two criminal cases. A second case on similar charges is being heard in a court in Voronezh.