Vyaznikov case in Luchegorsk

Case History

In September 2018, law enforcement officers began operational-search measures against Jehovah’s Witnesses from Luchegorsk. A covert operative feigning interest in the Bible recorded his conversations with believers. In July 2021, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case in which Valery Vyaznikov from the village of Chegdomyn was accused of extremism because he had discussed the Bible with others. In December 2022, the case was transferred to a court located 1000 kilometers away from the believer’s place of residence. He was allowed to participate in most of the meetings via video conferencing. On November 7, 2023, the court sentenced Valeriy to a suspended sentence of two and a half years.
Timeline

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    2018 year

    Operational-search measures are being carried out, in particular, wiretapping of dialogues between believers from Luchegorsk and embedded operatives who depict interest in the Bible.

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    July 16, 2021 Case initiated

    Valery Vyaznikov becomes a defendant in a criminal case. The investigation interprets conversations about God as "involving a person in the activities of the religious group Jehovah's Witnesses."

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    August 26, 2021

    Investigator Sorokina instructs Nadezhda Oleshkevich, associate professor of the Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service, expert to conduct a psychological, linguistic and religious examination.

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    December 30, 2022 Case went to court

    The case of Valery Vyaznikov is submitted to the Pozharsky District Court of the Primorsky Territory for consideration by Judge Nina Kalashnik. The first hearing is scheduled for February 9.

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    April 13, 2023 Hearing in a court of the first instance Interrogation

    The court summons prosecution witnesses for questioning. One woman says that she does not know Valery Vyaznikov, while another characterizes him on the positive side. The testimonies of the three witnesses who did not appear were read out.

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    May 31, 2023 Hearing in a court of the first instance Interrogation

    The questioning of witnesses is ongoing. One of them says that the content of the record of his interrogation does not correspond to what he said to the investigator, and on some pages there is not his signature. Another witness uses Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

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    June 20, 2023 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The court reads out the testimony of another witness, and also announces the results of operational-search activities and the conclusion of a comprehensive psychological, linguistic and religious examination.

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    August 11, 2023 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The study of the case materials continues. Among them is a transcript of an audio recording of a worship service, on which a prayer is heard and biblical prophecies are spoken.

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    September 26, 2023 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The defendant reads out his written notes. The court announces information about the composition of the Vyaznikov family, a description from the district police officer, a medical report on Valery's occupational diseases.

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    October 12, 2023 Prosecutor requested punishment

    The prosecutor requests a 3-year suspended sentence for Valery Vyaznikov with restriction of liberty for 1 year.

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    October 30, 2023 Final statement

    Valery Vyaznikov makes his last speech.

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    November 15, 2023 First Instance Sentence Art. 282.2 (2) Suspended sentence
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    January 11, 2024 Court of Appeal Art. 282.2 (2) Suspended sentence Elderly