Case of Sorokina and Troshina in Sychevka

A criminal case is being opened on the participation of two female believers in an organization recognized as extremist in Russia.

Security forces conduct a raid in Sychevka, Smolensk region, detaining Natalia Sorokina and Maria Troshina.

Both women are officially charged, they are sent to the Smolensk pre-trial detention center.

After more than six months of imprisonment, Natalia and Maria are released under house arrest.

Troshina was additionally charged with organizing the activities of the "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses."

The preliminary investigation of the case has been completed.

A similar charge was brought against Natalia Sorokina.

Court hearings begin in the Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region. The hearings are scheduled for February 26 and 27.

Referee: Arkady Likhachev. Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region (Sychevka, K. Marx St., 7).

Referee: Arkady Likhachev. Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region (Sychevka, K. Marx St., 7).

Referee: Arkady Likhachev. Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region (Sychevka, K. Marx St., 7).

The court begins the interrogation of officers of the FSB of Russia in the Smolensk region. Judge Arkady Likhachev reads out their previous testimony, as they do not remember them. During the subsequent interrogation, FSB officer Vladimir Vanisov states that the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has banned the practice of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia (which is not true). FSB officer Yuri Amelin gives similar testimony and also does not see the difference between ordinary believers and a legal entity. The head of the local FSB division, Mikhail Dorochenkov, says that all the information is contained in the case file, and it is difficult to answer the question of which organization was banned by the Supreme Court. Judge Arkady Likhachev, however, repeatedly asks the defense not to delay the trial.

The next court hearings will be held on October 13-15, 2020. It is planned to bring witnesses who have repeatedly failed to appear in court on summons.

In the Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region, the hearing on the criminal case continues. The state prosecutor does not ensure the appearance of witnesses for the prosecution. The only witness who is brought to court for questioning is a woman, a disabled person of group I. She says that she was familiar with the defendants, sometimes called them and asked them to explain to her incomprehensible passages in the Bible. She stopped calling because FSB investigators came to her. Answering questions, she explained what, in her opinion, is the difference between individual believers and the organization: "For example, Masha and Natasha. They can help in a human way: to tell something, and to suggest something, and to convey something. I never associated them with any organization." The trial will continue in a month, and a study of the remaining volumes of the criminal case is planned.

Referee: Arkady Likhachev. Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region (Sychevka, K. Marx St., 7).

At the court session, the defense draws attention to the fact that in the case file the investigation calls the believers members of a certain "foreign religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses", which does not exist and, accordingly, which could not be banned by Russian courts.

The court examines the expert's report, which confirms the religion of the defendants as Jehovah's Witnesses, and not as members of the Administrative Center (legal entity) banned by the Supreme Court of Russia. The religious beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are not prohibited in Russia.

According to the arguments of the investigation, the believers, "realizing the public danger," were hiding from the state. Maria Troshina and Natalia Sorokina refute this, providing the court with letters addressed to the president of the country and the answers received to them.

The court listens to audio recordings of religious meetings of believers, at which ideas of respect for people of different nationalities and religious views are heard. As Maria and Natalia explain, these audios prove that their faith is the opposite of extremism.

The Sychevsky District Court is examining material evidence seized during a search from one of the believers. The defense draws the court's attention to the fact that the seized literature, included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials, never belonged to the defendants.

Among other material "evidence of extremist activity", postcards, mobile phone chargers and a router were attached to the case file. Judge Likhachev wonders what these items have to do with the case.

In the Sychevsky District Court of the Smolensk Region, the debate of the parties begins. The prosecutor asks for a severe punishment for women - imprisonment in a penal colony of general regime: for Maria Troshina - 6 years and 8 months, for Natalia Sorokina - 6 years and 6 months.

Sentencing is possible at the next hearing.

Judge Arkady Likhachev sentences Sorokina and Troshina to 6 years of suspended imprisonment with a probationary period of 3 years.

Appeal hearings are postponed to September 15.

The Smolensk Regional Court upholds the sentence handed down to Maria Troshina and Natalia Sorokina by the court of first instance. The verdict comes into force.