DENNIS CHRISTENSEN LEFT IN SIZO, DEFENSE PETITIONS DENIED
Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 22 July 2017
On 20 July 2017, by decision of the Soviet district court of the city of Orel, Danish citizen Dennis Christensen was left in an investigation cell for another 4 months, until 23 November. The court decided to extend his measure of restraint as a criminal who committed a "serious violation of law," despite the complete lack of evidence of a crime and of victims.
The court rejected all petitions of the defense, except for one—a public hearing. The judge did not consent to release the believer under house arrest with a bail of one million rubles, insisting that the peaceful believer should be isolated from society, although the investigation is still unable to explain what his crime consists of.
The investigation continues to mislead the court, maintaining that Christensen is the leader of the forbidden local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Orel. In reality, he never even was a part of this organization.
Numerous foreign observers were present in the courtroom, including the vice-consul of Denmark and representatives of news media of Denmark and Germany.
The believer's attorneys are preparing an appeal. (tr. by PDS, posted 24 July 2017)
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