Appeal in Ussuriysk Approved the Conviction of Vitaliy Ilinykh—a Suspended Sentence for Reading the Bible

On July 28, 2022, the Primorye Regional Court, presided over by Judge Anna Chernenko, upheld the conviction of Jehovah's Witness Vitaliy Ilyinykh. For his belief in God, he was found guilty of participating in the activities of an extremist organization.

The decision of the lower court adopted in April 2022 came into force—Vitaliy Ilyinykh was sentenced to 2.5 years of suspended sentence with a two-year probationary period. The prosecutor asked for a longer suspended sentence—4 years. The believer insists on his complete innocence and can file a cassation appeal.

Vitaliy Ilinykh and his mother, Olga Opaleva, have been persecuted for their faith since 2019. The Ilinykhs' house was searched twice, after the second one Vitaliy spent 2 days in the temporary detention center. Recalling those events, the believer said: “The hardest thing was to realize that the ‘calm’ life was over.” The criminal prosecution deprived Vitaliy Ilinykh of the opportunity to fully take care of his mother. He also faced financial difficulties due to the blocking of his accounts.

In total, 41 Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted for their faith in Primorye Territory, more than in any other subject of the Russian Federation. Among those charged with extremism are 87-year-old Yelena Zaishchuk, 74-year-old Lyudmila Shut and 79-year-old Vladimir Filippov.

The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation did not prohibit Jehovah's Witnesses from discussing biblical issues in the circle of fellow believers or other persons and thus performing worship services. This constitutional right is reserved for every citizen of the country, however, more than 630 Jehovah's Witnesses in 71 regions of Russia have already become defendants in criminal cases for their faith.