NEW CRIMINAL CASES IN KRASNOYARSK.
A man and woman may be put behind bars because of
conversation about
faith on the street
Jehovah's
Witnesses in Russia, 9 October 2019
On 2 October 2019 two criminal cases against peaceful
citizens were
opened in Krasnoyarsk. According to the account of the
investigation, Sergei
Tolstonozhenko and Tatiana Feruleva conducted "illegal activity
of
Jehovah's Witnesses." This is how law enforcers interpreted a
simple
conversation at a bus stop.
Both cases were opened by a senior investigator, Justice
Major R.I.
Kurbanov, on the basis of part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the CC
RF. In the order
about opening the criminal case it is noted that both persons
"conducted
activities of an organizational nature aimed at the continuation
of illegal
activity of the Jehovah's Witnesses," which was expressed in
"attracting
new members" and "distributing extremist literature and software
among members of the organization."
During interrogation, it was suggested to Tatiana
Feruleva that she
make a so-called deal with justice: admit her guilt of the
"crime"
and implicate others of its "participants."
At the present time, in Krasnoyarsk territory
investigations are
already being conducted for five believers. Anton Ostapenko is
still held in
custody in SIZO No. 3 of the city of Achinsk. The case of Andrei
Stupnikov has
dragged on since 3 July 2018.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not have anything in common with
extremism. Article
28 of the Russian constitution permits "freely to choose, hold,
and
disseminate religious and other convictions and to act in
accordance with
them." Prosecution of law-abiding believers for conversations
about
religion is a horrendous error by law enforcement agencies,
which diverts them
from the struggle with real crime. (tr. by PDS, posted 9 October
2019)
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