Photo: search of Jehovah's Witnesses (archival photo)

Photo: search of Jehovah's Witnesses (archival photo)

Photo: search of Jehovah's Witnesses (archival photo)

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

In Kirov, law enforcement officers conduct searches and exert pressure on believers

Kirov Region

On July 17 and 18, 2019, searches were conducted in the homes of 48-year-old Anton Vasyukov, 62-year-old Aleksey Okatyev and 63-year-old Yuriy Geraskov. The events are carried out within the framework of the criminal case of Anatoly Tokarev. In total, 3 identical cases against 11 Jehovah's Witnesses are being investigated in the city. Polish citizen Andrzej Oniszczuk has been held in pre-trial detention for more than 280 days.

6 men were charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization in Kirov, 5 more remain in the status of suspects. Many believers are summoned for interrogations. Police officer Maslov from the Center for Countering Extremism, repeatedly comes to believers and knocks loudly on doors for a long time, causing confusion among neighbors. On at least one occasion, after Maslov's visit, believers discovered that a police officer with unknown intent had de-energized their apartment by opening the electricity meterboard.

Case of Tokarev in Kirov

Case History
Peaceful pensioner Anatoly Tokarev, a resident of Kirov, was sentenced by the court to a fine of 500 thousand rubles for his faith. The believer filed a complaint with the courts of appeal and cassation, but the verdict remained unchanged. The prosecutor asked to send the believer to a colony for 3.5 years, accusing him of organizing and financing a banned organization. According to him, this was expressed “in the joint singing of biblical songs and the study of religious literature,” as well as in covering the utility costs of an empty worship building. The persecution of Anatoliy began in May 2019. He was searched, the security forces arrested his apartment and garden, voiced threats to harm his relatives. The believer considers this pressure for refusing to incriminate himself and not admitting guilt in extremism. Judge Skorobogatov ignored the documents submitted by the defendant to international organizations advocating for Anatoly Tokarev’s right to freedom of religion. Interrogation of prosecution witnesses during the trial revealed that their testimony was falsified.
Timeline

Persons in case

Tokarev
Anatoliy

Criminal case

Region:
Kirov Region
Locality:
Kirov
Suspected of:
"joint singing of biblical songs ... in his apartment."
Court case number:
11902330022000030
Initiated:
May 8, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kirov Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-82/2020
Court:
Октябрьский районный суд г. Кирова
Judge:
Скоробогатый Сергей Валерьевич
Case History
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