The Case of Reshetnikov and Others in Barnaul

Vladimir Strigunenko, an investigator of the investigation department of the FSB of Russia in the Altai Territory, opens a criminal case against 71-year-old Mikhail Reshetnikov. The pensioner is accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organization (Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). This is how the investigator interprets conversations about the Bible.

Judge Marina Novikova of the Central District Court of Barnaul orders permission to search 14 addresses of Jehovah's Witnesses.

During the police special operation codenamed "Armageddon", mass searches and detentions of peaceful Christians are taking place in the cities of Barnaul, Zarinsk and Rubtsovsk, the village of Telmenka and the villages of Troitskoye and Shakhi. Believers report the use of physical force by security forces. At least 17 people are taken for interrogation to the FSB and the Center for Combating Extremism.

Starting at 6 a.m., Mikhail Reshetnikov's apartment has been searched. It is conducted by investigator Strigunenko, accompanied by witnesses and masked security officials. They record what is happening on a video camera. Representatives of the authorities behave correctly, in some cases they even ask the owner for permission to inspect. When asked by law enforcement officials how he and his wife manage to remain calm, Mikhail replies: "We see that this is happening in Russia, we expected [this]."

Law enforcement officers seize electronic devices and personal records, as well as greeting cards from the wedding of Mikhail and his wife Antonina. After the search, Mikhail and Antonina arrive in their own car to the FSB building for interrogation.

Senior investigator of the Investigative Department of the FSB of Russia for the Altai Territory Strigunenko V.V. places M. Reshetnikov under recognizance not to leave.

The senior investigator of the investigation department of the FSB of Russia in the Altai Territory initiates a criminal case against Anatoly Sarychev, Yuri Kolotinsky and Oleg Ovechkin on the grounds of a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and combines it with the case of Mikhail Reshetnikov.

Investigator Strigunenko also presents Reshetnikov, Sarychev and Kolotinsky with decisions dated 06.10.2022 on bringing them as accused of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Senior investigator of the Investigative Department of the FSB of Russia for the Altai Territory Strigunenko V.V. places A. Sarychev and Y. Kolotinsky under recognizance not to leave.

Strigunenko presents Reshetnikov with a resolution dated 10/20/2022, and Sarychev and Kolotinsky with a resolution dated 10/21/2022 on bringing each of them as a defendant in committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

The decision to involve Sarychev states that the believer "occupied a dominant (leading) position, acting as a controller of the information space, discussed a religious topic, gave the floor to speakers, invited other persons to participate in the discussion, comment, answer questions."

The document also says that at religious meetings, believers read out "extremist materials, namely the text" Holy Scripture. New World Translation.'" According to the investigator, reading the Bible could lead to such consequences as violent change of the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, violation of the integrity of the Russian Federation, incitement of religious hatred and justification of genocide and mass repression of persons who are not Jehovah's Witnesses.

The case is submitted to the Leninsky District Court of Barnaul, Altai Territory. It will be considered by judge Lyubov Kurushina.

38 people come to the courthouse to support the believers, but they are not allowed into the courtroom.

The judge grants the motions for audio recording of the hearings and the presence of listeners, promising that the next hearings will be held in a larger hall.

The prosecutor reads out the indictment. Anatoly Sarychev, Yuri Kolotinsky and Mikhail Reshetnikov speak with an attitude to the charges.

Prosecution witnesses, including FSB officer Suslikov, are being questioned. He finds it difficult to answer most of the questions of the judge, the prosecutor and the defense.

The prosecutor reads out the first five volumes of the case file.

On April 25, May 11, 18, June 23 and July 13, the prosecutor reads out the case materials.

From 20 to 38 of their relatives and fellow believers come to support believers.

The secret witness Taranov is being interrogated, he is in another room. In his presence, the 8th, 9th and 10th volumes of the criminal case are read.

The trial takes place in a small hall, so only relatives of the defendants are present at the hearing.

One of the prosecution witnesses is being questioned.

The court hears audio recordings of worship services made in secret.

At the meeting, recordings of telephone conversations of believers and audio recordings of the divine service are listened to.

Interrogation of a witness for the prosecution who is a religious scholar.

Throughout the 16 sessions, listening to audio recordings of worship services received from a listening device continues.

Interrogation of witnesses by the defense. The defendants make written notes.

The prosecutor requests 4 years in a general regime colony for the defendants.

The defendants make their final statement and ask the court to find them not guilty of extremism.