The Court in Kovrov Sentenced One of Jehovah's Witnesses, Roman Adestov, to a Penal Colony. But the Time He Spent Under the Investigation and Trial, Means He Has Already Served His Term of Imprisonment

On June 15, 2023, the Kovrov City Court considered the participation of 46-year-old Roman Adestov in discussions on Bible topics as extremism and sentenced him to 1 year in a penal colony and 11 months of restriction of freedom. The term of punishment takes into account the time of the believer's imprisonment in a pre-trial detention center and under house arrest.

In June 2021, the Investigative Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the Vladimir Region initiated a criminal case against Roman Adestov under Part 2 of Art. 282.2 of the RF Criminal Code (participation in the activity of an extremist organization). Some time later, law enforcement officers searched his house in the village of Ivanovo. After interrogation at the FSB branch in the city of Vladimir, the believer was sent to a detention center, where he spent 139 days. Roman spent almost the entire term of his detention in a cramped and extremely damp cell. After that he was transferred to house arrest. For the next 7 months, he was isolated from the outside world, a bracelet was put on his leg to track his location. Then this preventive measure was changed to prohibition of certain actions. The case was being heard in court from September 2022. The prosecutor requested 4 years in a penal colony for Adestov.

The believer resolutely denied being guilty of extremism, emphasizing that he was being tried solely for his peaceful religious views. “If, according to the investigation, I was engaged in extremist activity, then why is nothing said about this in the materials of the criminal case or in the indictment? I am not charged with what the RF Supreme Court considered extremist activity, because I did not do it, am not doing it and do not intend to do it. The investigation did not prove otherwise. It turns out that I am accused of acting in accordance with Article 28 of the RF Constitution (the right to profess any religion), without going outside the law,” Adestov said at one of the court hearings.

After the announcement of the verdict, Adestov was not taken into custody, since he had already served the appointed term of imprisonment. Restrictions on freedom imposed by the court will be applied to the believer, but the verdict has not yet entered into force and can be appealed.

From the moment of his arrest, Roman could not work and provide for his family. In addition, during this period, his mother-in-law died. The organization of the funeral fell entirely on the shoulders of his wife, Alina, since he was not allowed to leave the house.

Roman expressed his deep gratitude to friends and acquaintances for the support they have provided to his family all this time. “They support us with kind words, deeds, and materially. And when I was in prison, they helped Alina in everyday matters,” said Roman.

The global community unanimously condemns the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. In particular, the judgment of the European Court of June 7, 2022 notes: “That broad definition of ‘extremism’ not only could  – and did – lead to arbitrary prosecutions, but also prevented individuals or organizations from being able to anticipate that their conduct, however peaceful and devoid of hatred or animosity it was, could be categorised as 'extremist' and censured with restrictive measures.”