From left to right: Artur Netreba, Aleksandr Kostrov, Viktor Bachurin in court

From left to right: Artur Netreba, Aleksandr Kostrov, Viktor Bachurin in court

From left to right: Artur Netreba, Aleksandr Kostrov, Viktor Bachurin in court

Unjust Verdicts

An Appeal in Lipetsk Upheld the Sentence of Three Jehovah's Witnesses—Fines for Talking About the Bible

Lipetsk Region

On January 20, 2022, the Lipetsk Regional Court denied the appeal of Artur Netreba, Alexandr Kostrov and Viktor Bachurin and upheld the sentence of the lower court. Believers are required to pay a fine of 300,000 rubles each.

In November 2021, the court found three Jehovah's Witnesses from Lipetsk guilty of participating in the activities of an extremist organization and fined each of them 500 thousand rubles, but the amount was reduced to 300 thousand, since the believers spent almost a year in a pre-trial detention center. The court considered it a "grave crime against the constitutional order" for believers to participate in peaceful religious meetings and discuss the Bible with others.

The criminal case against Kostrov, Bachurin and Netreba was initiated on December 2, 2019, on the same day their homes were searched, followed by arrest.

A psychologist, a religious scholar and a linguist were involved in the criminal case as experts, who did not find signs of extremism in the activities of the defendants or the motivation of others to do so. There were no casualties or any harm from the actions of the believers.

The verdict has entered into force, but believers consider it illegal and can appeal in cassation, as well as in international instances.

In total, 10 people have already been prosecuted for their faith in the Lipetsk region, including 3 women. Repressions against Jehovah's Witnesses continue despite the explanation of the Plenum of the Supreme Court that the joint worship of believers in itself is not a crime.

Case of Netreba and Others in Lipetsk

Case History
In December 2019, three peaceful residents from Lipetsk - Artur Netreba, Alexandr Kostrov and Viktor Bachurin - ended up behind bars, where they spent almost a year. The FSB investigator considered conducting “religious meetings”, resolving “issues of a religious nature” and “pastoral service” “a grave crime against the constitutional order.” The believers were accused of participating in the activity of an extremist organization. In December 2020, the case went to court. The prosecutor requested 4 years in a penal colony and 8 months restriction of freedom for the believers. In November 2021, the court found them guilty and imposed a fine of 500 thousand rubles on all three, which was reduced to 300 thousand rubles, since the defendants spent almost a year in pre-trial detention. The court of appeal, and later the court of cassation, upheld this verdict.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Lipetsk Region
Locality:
Lipetsk
Court case number:
11907420001000023
Initiated:
December 2, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
СО УФСБ РФ по Липецкой области
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-83/2021 (1-501/2020)
Court:
Советский районный суд г. Липецка
Judge:
Александр Устинов
Case History
Back to top