Photo: Roman Markin, Viktor Trofimov

Photo: Roman Markin, Viktor Trofimov

Photo: Roman Markin, Viktor Trofimov

Criminal Investigation and Trial

In the Murmansk region, 2 believers were released from house arrest

Murmansk Region

After 120 days of confinement in their own homes, Roman Markin and Viktor Trofimov can return to a relatively normal life. On February 7, 2019, the Polyarny District Court (Murmansk Region) refused to extend the investigator's house arrest.

Believers and their families have become victims of criminal prosecution for their faith. In April and November 2018, searches were carried out in the cities of Polyarny in the homes of citizens believed to be Jehovah's Witnesses. Roman Markin and Viktor Trofimov were sent to a pre-trial detention center, where they spent 176 days each. Both were later placed under house arrest.

The investigation of their case continues, they have been taken on their own recognizance.

Case of Markin and Trofimov in Polyarny

Case History
In April 2017, the families of Jehovah’s Witnesses came to the attention of the FSB officers in the Murmansk region. A year later, a series of searches took place in Polyarny, after which 13 citizens, including the minor Violetta Markina, were taken for interrogations, which lasted until 6 a.m. the next day. Investigator A. V. Gulin considered prayers and reading the Bible dangerous acts for the state. Roman Markin and Viktor Trofimov were sent to a pre-trial detention center for six months on suspicion of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. They spent another 4 months under house arrest. After 20 court hearings, the prosecutor requested 6 years in prison for Roman Markin and 6 years and 5 months for Viktor Trofimov. On January 24, 2020, Viktoriya Loginova, a judge of the Polyarny District Court, sentenced the believers to fines: Viktor Trofimov in the amount of 350,000 rubles, and Roman Markin - 300,000 rubles. The Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation upheld the verdict.
Timeline

Persons in case

Markin
Roman
Trofimov
Viktor

Criminal case

Region:
Murmansk Region
Locality:
Polyarny
Suspected of:
according to the investigation he together with others conducted religious services, which is interpreted as “organising the activity of an extremist organisation” (with reference to the decision of the Russian Supreme Court on the liquidation of all 396 registered organisations of Jehovah’s Witnesses)
Court case number:
11802470006000031
Initiated:
April 12, 2018
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Murmansk Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-23/2019
Case History
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