The Case of Korolev and Others in Akhtubinsk

At 5 a.m., the investigator of the Akhtuba Interdistrict Investigation Department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Astrakhan Region, Sergey Savinich, opened a criminal case against three believers: Sergey Korolev, Rinat Kiramov and Sergey Kosyanenko. Within a couple of hours, searches are being carried out at at least 15 addresses in Akhtubinsk and Znamensk.

Investigative actions last from 4 to 10 hours. Telephones, personal records, information carriers and printed publications are seized from believers. Law enforcement officers interrogate at least 15 citizens and make audio recordings of the voices of some of them for later identification.

Having knocked on Rinat Kiramov's door, the security forces introduce themselves as neighbors, whom the spouses allegedly flood. Then they break down the door and order the Kiramov family and their guests to lie on the floor. One of them had to remain in this position for more than an hour. Phones, passports and car keys are seized from Kiramov's friends. The security forces open the ceiling in the kitchen, as a result of which its suspension system falls, break the dishes and partially dismantle the panels of the balcony cladding. Law enforcement officers take away all those present for interrogation. Copies of the protocols are not provided to the guests of the Kiramovs, citing the fact that the official search did not take place at their place.

During a search in the Korolevs' house, Sergey's wife's blood pressure rises sharply. One of the law enforcement officers tries to calm her down. The spouses are allowed to have breakfast before taking them away for interrogation. According to the investigator, the believers were monitored and wiretapped. After interrogation, Sergey Korolev is placed in a temporary detention facility.

After a search in another house, the security forces take away for questioning a mother and son, a hearing impaired person of group III. He is experiencing a strong emotional shock, as he cannot hear the investigator well, and he is not provided with a sign language interpreter.

Investigators prevent believers from exercising their right not to testify against themselves and their loved ones, interpreting the use of Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation as a refusal to testify.

The Akhtubinsk District Court elects a measure of restraint for Sergey Korolev in the form of detention until January 9, 2022.

Sergey Korolev, Rinat Kiramov and Sergey Kosyanenko are elected a measure of restraint in the form of detention. Three believers are sent to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in the Astrakhan region.

Investigator Savinich initiates another criminal case against three believers under Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (financing the activities of an extremist organization). Later, he combines it into one proceeding with the case previously initiated against Korolev, Kiramov and Kosyanenko.

The case goes to the Akhtubinsky District Court of the Astrakhan Region.

The Akhtuba District Court extends the period of detention of believers until April 27, 2023.

The Astrakhan Regional Court upholds the decision to extend the period of detention of believers, reducing it by only 1 day - until April 26, 2023.

The challenge to the judge filed by the defense remains unsatisfied.

The prosecutor announces the indictment and proceeds to the examination of the case materials.

On December 5 and 7, Sergey Kosyanenko is present only at part of the hearings for health reasons - he is being provided with emergency medical care in the temporary detention facility. On December 8, doctors were summoned to the courthouse - Sergey Kosyanenko became ill at the hearing.

Prosecution witnesses are questioned at the hearing. The first of them says that he does not know the defendants, only Rinat Kiramov "met a couple of times on the street." The prosecutor reads out part of the preliminary testimony of the witness, where it is said that he is familiar with the defendants and calls them "organizers". The witness insists that he did not give the testimony assigned to him and reports that he signed the protocol without reading, as he was interrogated without glasses.

Another witness uses Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and confirms his preliminary testimony.

The defense objects to the fact that the prosecutor does not allow the wives of the defendants into the courtroom. The judge does not allow the prosecutor to challenge.

The state prosecutor continues to read out the case materials.

Sergei Korolev's wife, Ekaterina, is being interrogated. She gives a positive characteristic to her husband. When answering most of the prosecutor's questions, he uses Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

At the court session, a secret witness is being interrogated - a man with whom Rinat Kiramov talked about the Bible. The man considers the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses to be prohibited in Russia. At the same time, he says that the believers did not carry out extremist activities. The witness partially refutes the testimony he gave during the preliminary investigation.

The announcement of the written materials of the case continues. A man who previously professed the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses is being interrogated. He does not say anything bad about believers and does not confirm most of the testimony given earlier.

Another witness is being interrogated. He confirms his preliminary testimony.

Next, the defense presents evidence. The wives of the defendants Kiramov and Kosyanenko, as well as Kiramov's mother, are being interrogated. They give their relatives extremely positive characteristics.

At the initiative of the prosecution, E. V. Shtanko, who communicated with believers, pretending to be interested in the Bible and collaborated with law enforcement agencies, is being interrogated. The woman does not hide her hostility to the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her testimony has nothing to do with the charges against the defendants.

Witnesses of the defense are being interrogated, who give a good description of Sergey Kosyanenko.

The defense presents its evidence. Defense witnesses are being interrogated, who give a good description of Rinat Kiramov, Rinat and Sergey Korolev.

The defendants testify to the court.

The prosecutor asks to appoint each of the believers to 8 years in a general regime colony, to deprive them of the right to lead public organizations and participate in their work for 4 years, as well as to impose additional restrictions on freedom for 2 years.

All the defendants make their final statements. At the next hearing, the court will announce the verdict.