The case of Sazhin in Fokino

Case History

In April 2023, Aleksandr Sazhin from the city of Fokino became a suspect in a criminal case. On the same day, the security forces searched Aleksandr’s house where he lives with his wife and in their garage. During the search, the believer’s wife became ill. The man was interrogated, charged with participating in the activities of an extremist organization and signed a recognizance agreement. The investigation considered the peaceful confession of faith to be undermining the constitutional order and promoting religious exclusivity. In April 2024, the case went to court.
Timeline

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2)

    A. S. Belashko, investigator of the Bolshoy Kamen Investigative Department, initiates a criminal case against Aleksandr Sazhin for his faith under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization).

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    Search Interrogation Recognizance agreement

    Aleksandr Sazhin's home and garage are being searched. Flash drives, mobile phones, photo CDs, several copies of the Bible and the Koran are seized from him. Alexander becomes a suspect in a criminal case. In the FSB department, he is interrogated in the presence of a lawyer and then released on his own recognizance.

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    Interrogation

    The investigator brings in Aleksandr Sazhin as a defendant and interrogates him. The believer is accused of discussing the Bible with other people and singing songs.

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    Case went to court

    The case goes to the Fokinsky City Court of the Primorsky Territory.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    More than fifty people gather outside the courthouse to support Alexander, and one married couple is allowed into the courtroom.

    The prosecutor reads out the indictment.

    Aleksandr Sazhin speaks with an attitude to the prosecution. "I am accused of undermining the constitutional order of Russia, which is expressed in reading and discussing the Bible together with others, singing songs of praise to God and praying. But this right is guaranteed to me by Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. I have never had hostile or extremist motives. All my religious activities have a spiritual basis and are motivated only by love and respect for God and people."

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