Case of Sakun in Kovrov

Case History

In August 2023, several searches took place in the Kovrov district of the Vladimir region, including at Oleg Sakun’s. Shortly before that, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the believer. He was accused of extremism for his peaceful religious activities. After two days in the temporary detention center, Sakun was placed under house arrest for 4 months. In May 2024, the materials of the criminal case were transferred to the court.

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    Case initiated Elderly

    Investigator for especially important cases of the Investigative Directorate for the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Vladimir Region, Y. Nikulin, initiates a criminal case against Oleg Sakun. According to the investigator, Oleg "took part in religious meetings, spoke at them, served as an assistant, namely ... carrying out work to introduce the ideology of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city of Kovrov among the civil masses."

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    Search Case initiated House arrest Interrogation Temporary detention facility Elderly

    Oleg Sakun's apartment is being searched, authorized by the judge of the Kovrov city court, Yuri Shestopalov.

    The believer is charged and placed in a temporary detention facility.

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    House arrest Elderly

    Oleg Sakun is released under house arrest.

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    Prohibition of certain actions Elderly

    The measure of restraint for a believer is changed to a ban on certain actions.

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    Recognizance agreement Elderly

    Sakun is given a recognizance not to leave and proper behavior.

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    Elderly

    Investigator Y. Nikulin notifies the believer of the end of the preliminary investigation. The accused proceeds to familiarize himself with the materials of the case.

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    Case went to court Elderly

    The case goes to the Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region. It will be considered by judge Artem Ozhev.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    A court session is held, which is attended by about 12 listeners. Oleg Sakun filed a motion to retract the testimony given in the pre-trial procedure, since he was under pressure from the investigative authorities.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance Interrogation

    The believer testifies. He notes that the investigation did not prove his "motives of enmity and hatred", did not find a single victim, and the prosecution witnesses did not know him personally, so they could not say anything on the merits.

    Oleg Sakun says that the prosecution ascribes to him a criminal intent aimed at continuing the activities of an extremist organization, while he simply took part in the worship services of Jehovah's Witnesses. As an example, the defendant cites an outerwear factory, which is a legal entity, which went bankrupt and ceased its activities in the country. The defendant asks: "Can it be concluded that former factory workers cannot sew clothes for their own needs or for the needs of other people? Will their actions be considered a continuation of the activities of the legal entity?" The believer emphasizes that this example clearly illustrates that the liquidation of the legal entity "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" has nothing to do with the peaceful religious services of the individuals of whose participation he is accused.

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    Prosecutor requested punishment Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Judge: Artem Ozhev. Kovrov City Court of Vladimir Region (21 Shchorsa Street, Kovrov). Time: 14:00.

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