Case of Dmitriyev and Sergeechev in Adygeysk

Investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Zalim Ashinov opens a criminal case against 74-year-old disabled person of group III Yuriy Sergeechev and 57-year-old Aleksey Dmitriev from Adygeisk. The investigation interprets ordinary conversations about God with a local resident as involvement in an extremist organization.

Maykop City Court judge Marina Vittek sends Yuriy Sergeechev and Aleksey Dmitriev into custody until June 27, 2025.

Yuriy Sergeechev and Aleksey Dmitriyev are held in double cells, each of them has another person with him. They have good relations with the believers.

Yuriy Sergeechev, 73, suffers from arrhythmia. He is disabled — walks with a cane and has poor eyesight. For a period after his arrest, he did not have the necessary medication. The medical unit could not give him the medication since they did not have it. Yuriy finds it difficult to understand the meaning of the case documents, so he has to reread the text several times.

Aleksey Dmitriyev needs dental care. According to available information, help from the appointed lawyer consisted of recommending the believer admit his guilt.

Yuriy and Aleksey are kept in different cells with 3-4 other prisoners. The conditions are satisfactory; the necessary things are provided by relatives. Since the believers did not admit their guilt, the investigator banned them from receiving letters, visits and phone calls. It also now known that he has seized Dmitriyev's car.

Sergeechev suffers from cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus; Dmitriyev is finding it hard being separated from his wife. Nevertheless, both are trying not to lose heart.

The case is submitted to the Teuchezhskiy District Court of the Republic of Adygea; it will be considered by Judge Aslanbech Trakhov.

The first court hearing is taking place. The believers express how the feel about the charges. Sergeechev says that he always treated the key witness for the prosecution in a Christian manner, prayed for his son, asked God to help him and did not involve him in any extremist organization.

The court extends pretrial detention for the believers by another 6 months — they remain in the detention center.

They have a Bible and each has 5 people in their cell. It is very hot in the premises and there are cockroaches. A fan has been installed in Dmitriyev's cell. Sergeechev sometimes suffers from high blood pressure.

Aleksey Dmitriyev is in the pretrial detention facility located at Penal Colony No. 1 for the Republic of Adygea.

The protocol of the examination of material evidence — video recordings — is read out. In one of them, a witness for the prosecution comments on sensitive political matters, while believer Aleksey Dmitriyev clearly distances himself from such discussions. The defense regards the behavior of the former as provocative.

The defense filed a motion for Aleksey Dmitriev to see a traumatologist for his swollen knee. The court refuses, explaining that the medical unit of the pretrial detention center can provide assistance and, if necessary, send the accused to a state hospital.

Yuriy Sergeechev complains of worsening health problems and trouble sleeping. According to the defendant, samples for diagnosis were taken, medical documents about his health condition were collected and are being prepared for his hospitalization.

Yuriy cannot read the Bible, was taken away to be approved, but it has not yet been returned to him.

Aleksey Dmitriyev needs the help of a trauma specialist because he has a swollen knee, and he also requires dental treatment. There are four people in his cell and no one smokes. The visits from his wife, who is his public defender, are a great source of support for him.

On the eve of the court hearing, Yuriy Sergeechev has a hypertensive crisis. This condition requires medical intervention and peace, but the next day the believer is taken to court.

Yuri's wife cannot support him, as she is forced to stay at home due to illness. The defendant's granddaughter and ten of his friends come to the hearing.

The court examines written materials, including the protocol of examination of audio recordings. The defense explains that the materials reflect the study of the Bible using permitted publications without signs of involvement in the activities of a banned organization or manifestations of extremism. Quotes from the materials confirm the peaceful dissemination of religious beliefs without the imposition of personal opinions.