Case of Gerasimov in Yalta

The Supreme Court of Crimea is considering the appeals of the believer, who asked to be found innocent, and the prosecutor's office, which considered the sentence too lenient. The panel of judges toughens the punishment for talking about God: instead of a fine of 400 thousand rubles, Gerasimov was sentenced to 6 years in prison. The believer was taken into custody in the courtroom.

Artyom Gerasimov's lawyer reports on the conditions in which the believer is held in Krasnodar pre-trial detention center No. 1: there are not enough personal cutlery for everyone, so they have to use them in turn with other prisoners; He was allowed to go for a walk only once in a week - in a larger cell with a bars in the ceiling through which he could see the sky.

Artyom Gerasimov is transferred to SIZO-1 in the Krasnodar Territory. On the day of his arrival, 15 people find themselves in a cell designed for 10 places, as a result of which Gerasimov and four other prisoners spend the night without sleep. The next day, 10 people remain in the cell. How long the believer will stay in the pre-trial detention center before being transferred to the colony is still unknown.

Artyom's lawyer once again visits the believer in the place of detention. He says that at the time of arrival at the pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Krasnodar, there were 15 people in the cell for 10 beds, so he and 4 other people spent the entire first night without sleep. The next day, the situation changed and everyone was provided with a personal bed.

Artem says that in the colony he is employed in a sewing workshop, where mainly rubberized suits and masks are made. He is forced to work 6 days a week.

Artyom's acquaintances and friends report calls from the FSB with persistent offers to "talk". Two security officials come to one of Artyom's acquaintances right at the workplace. For half an hour, they ask her questions about whether she knows Jehovah's Witnesses and whether her family and friends are believers. She is also asked questions about Gerasimov and the circumstances of their acquaintance.

The lawyer visits Artyom Gerasimov in penal colony No. 12 in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky. The believer does not complain about his health. Although he had symptoms of COVID-19 in October 2020, he recovered quickly.

Prior to the arrival of the lawyer, Artem was not given letters of support from friends and relatives. However, a few days after visiting the lawyer, the believer received a packet of correspondence for the first time.

Artem works 6 days a week from 7 am to 7:30 pm in the sewing workshop. According to him, it is easier for him to be in production than in a barracks among 20 or more people who are not engaged in active work. For hard work, Artem has already received two awards.

It becomes known that Artyom Gerasimov was transferred from Penal Colony No. 12 in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky to Penal Colony No. 10 in Rostov-on-Don

The attitude of the administration towards Artyom Gerasimov is good. In the colony, he sews medical gowns. In one of the months after the deductions, his salary amounted to 2 rubles 6 kopecks.

Artyom Gerasimov recently suffered a cold. He still works in the sewing workshop. The believer's relations with his cellmates and administration are neutral.

Artem has a Bible. Once every two weeks, he is given 20-30 letters and parcels.

Artem Gerasimov feels fine. The conditions of detention are satisfactory: there is hot water, laundry, a place for walking. In his free time, he can play sports and read books.

The administration of the colony treats the believer with respect. Relations with cellmates are peaceful.