The case of Filatov in Krasnoyarsk

The investigation is carrying out operational-search activities.

The investigator of the Oktyabrsky district of Krasnoyarsk, K. O. Zhuikov, initiates a criminal case against 36-year-old Alexander Filatov, who at that time lives in Novorossiysk. He is suspected of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. The case is assigned a 12102040005000127 number. It was separated from the criminal case of Andrey Stupnikov.

In Novorossiysk, a search is underway at the place of residence of the Filatov spouses. The head of the family, Aleksandr, was absent at the time of the investigation.

Aleksandr Filatov was detained and at 11:20 p.m. was taken to the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Vladikavkaz, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, and later transferred to Krasnoyarsk.

Filatov is charged under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Judge of the Oktyabrsky District Court of Krasnoyarsk Elena Krivets sends the believer to the pre-trial detention center until September 8, 2021. She explains this by the fact that Alexander represents "an increased public danger and public outcry," and "the presence of young children, a spouse and a place of residence in Krasnoyarsk is not an unconditional basis preventing Filatov from choosing a preventive measure in the form of detention."

Aleksandr Filatov is sent to pre-trial detention center No. 1, located at 72 Respublika Street, Krasnoyarsk.

Aleksandr Filatov is charged with a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code.

The case is submitted to the Oktyabrsky District Court of Krasnoyarsk. It will be considered by judge Sergey Valerievich Gruzdev.

About 40 people come to support the defendant. The interrogated specialist finds it difficult or refuses to answer some questions. However, he calls Filatov the head of a banned organization with reference to the fact that he participated in the conduct of worship services. At the same time, the specialist admits that he did not find any illegal actions on the part of the accused.

The court rejects Filatov's petition to terminate the criminal prosecution, based on the decision of the ECHR.

30 people come to the building of the Oktyabrsky District Court to support Alexander Filatov, but only six are allowed into the courtroom.

At the hearing, the prosecutor makes a debate, reads out the case materials. She draws the court's attention to the fact that Aleksandr conducted worship services according to the same program as all Jehovah's Witnesses in the world, using an "extremist" website and literature. According to the prosecutor, this indicates that the believer continued the activities of a banned legal entity. She asks for Filatov, the father of two young children, 6 years of real imprisonment.

At the next meeting, the defense is scheduled to speak in the debate.

The defendant, referring to the laws of the Russian Federation and the decisions of the Supreme Court, explains that the actions imputed to him are legal and peaceful ways of professing his faith.

The lawyer claims that Aleksandr Filatov is being persecuted only for his faith. In particular, he notes that the prosecution considered two pieces of paper with the inscription "Jehovah" to be evidence of the defendant's guilt.

6 listeners are watching what is happening. About 50 people are waiting for news from the courtroom outside.

In his address to the court, Alexander Filatov compared his faith to a ship: "Only after overcoming the distance and the storm, the ship passes the test of strength. One day I will be able to return to my native "bay" with the proven quality of my faith.