The courthouse of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra. Source: [https://yandex.ru/maps](https://yandex.ru/maps)

The courthouse of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra. Source: https://yandex.ru/maps

The courthouse of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra. Source: https://yandex.ru/maps

Unjust Verdicts

Appeal Overturned the Acquittal of Jehovah's Witnesses from Yugorsk. The Case of Sorokin and Zhukov Will be Re-Examined

Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area

On November 20, 2023, the court of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area granted the prosecutor's appeal and overturned the acquittal in the case of Ivan Sorokin and Andrey Zhukov.

In August 2023, the judge of the Yugorsk District Court of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, Yuriy Klyupa, concluded that by professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, the believers did not violate the law, and acquitted their case.

According to Andrey Zhukov, the first trial, which lasted 1 year and 9 months, "helped many people understand that he and his fellow believers are peaceful citizens." Then both believers, accused of extremism, were acquitted. However, the prosecutor did not agree with this decision and appealed against it.

The case of the two believers is sent for reconsideration to the court of first instance.

The case of Sorokin and Zhukov in Yugorsk

Case History
In August 2020, in the cities of Yugorsk and Sovetsky, searches were carried out at 9 addresses of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 16 people were taken away for interrogation. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Andrey Zhukov and Ivan Sorokin for organizing the activities of an extremist organization because of conversations about the Bible with friends. The believers were placed in a temporary detention facility, and the next day they were released on their own recognizance. A few months later, their accounts were blocked, which became a serious difficulty for the Zhukov family in connection with the birth of their second child. In August 2021, Zhukov and Sorokin were also charged with involvement in the activities of an extremist organization. The case went to court in October of the same year. The prosecution witnesses invited to the hearing stated that the defendants were peace-loving people, and they had not heard any calls for illegal actions from believers. In August 2023, the court fully acquitted Zhukov and Sorokin. After 3 months, the appeal overturned the verdict and sent the case back for a new trial.
Timeline

Persons in case

Sorokin
Ivan
Zhukov
Andrey

Criminal case

Region:
Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area
Locality:
Yugorsk
Suspected of:
"We developed the basic plans of the local religious organization ... conducted conspiratorial gatherings of members of an extremist organization for the purpose of conducting religious rites and sermons" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12002711023058534
Initiated:
August 17, 2020
Current case stage:
trial in Court of First Instance
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — Yugra
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1), 282.2 (1.1)
Court case number:
1-2/2023 (1-14/2022; 1-149/2021)
Court:
Югорский районный суд ХМАО-Югры
Judge:
Юрий Клюпа
Case History