Photo: Valery Rogozin, Sergey Melnik, Igor Egozaryan

Photo: Valery Rogozin, Sergey Melnik, Igor Egozaryan

Photo: Valery Rogozin, Sergey Melnik, Igor Egozaryan

Criminal Investigation and Trial

All four prisoners of conscience were released from pre-trial detention center in Volgograd

Volgograd Region

On December 26, 2019, the Volgograd Regional Court released Igor Yegozaryan, Valery Rogozin and Sergey Melnik from the pre-trial detention center. A day later, a similar decision was made on Vyacheslav Osipov. Their detention has been replaced by a ban on certain actions.

Four civilians in Volgograd were imprisoned on May 16, 2019, after a raid and mass arrests for their faith. All of them are charged under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization) just because they have not stopped practicing their religion.

Relatives of believers are happy to be reunited with their loved ones, but the criminal case against them continues to be investigated.

Case of Rogozin and Others in Volgograd

Case History
In the spring of 2019, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the Volgograd believers. Sergey Melnik, Igor Egozaryan, Valeriy Rogozin and Denis Peresunko were accused of organizing an extremist organization, and the latter two were also accused of financing it. They spent 5 to 7 months in the pre-trial detention center. The lawyers drew the attention of Judge Irina Struk to numerous violations by the investigation. Some witnesses claimed that their testimony had been falsified. Secret witnesses were interrogated incognito, fearing for their lives and health. In September 2021, the court sentenced 4 believers to prison terms ranging from 6 years to 6 years and 5 months. In March 2022, the appellate court upheld the verdict. Igor Egozaryan was released in December 2025.
Timeline

Persons in case

Egozaryan
Igor
Melnik
Sergey
Peresunko
Denis
Rogozin
Valeriy

Criminal case

Region:
Volgograd Region
Locality:
Volgograd
Suspected of:
according to the investigation, he repeatedly participated "in mass events to view, listen, discuss audio and video materials promoting the cult of religious superiority of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses"
Court case number:
11902180028000016
Initiated:
May 16, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Volgograd Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)
Court case number:
1-2/2021 (1-56/2020)
Court:
Traktorozavodsky District Court of Volgograd
Judge:
Iryna Struk
Case History
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