Case of Skachidub in Pavlovskaya

Case History

In April 2020, the security forces searched and interrogated Vladimir Skachidub and his wife, a disabled person of group II. Two months later, a criminal case was initiated against a believer from the village of Pavlovskaya under two parts of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Vitaly Veter, an investigator of the FSB of Russia for the Krasnodar Territory, considered it a crime that Vladimir Skachidub “played the role of a preacher” while talking with others about the Bible. Since December 2020, the Skachidub case has been considered by Olga Marchenko, judge of the Pavlovsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory. In October 2021, she sentenced a believer with a disability to 4 years and 2 months in a penal colony. Six months later, the Court of Appeal upheld this decision. Vladimir is serving his sentence in IK-6 in the Ryazan region, 1200 km from home.
Timeline

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    Search Interrogation Health risk Recognizance agreement Elderly
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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2)

    Lieutenant of Justice Vitaliy Veter, investigator of the 2nd branch of the Krasnodar Territory Directorate of the FSB of Russia, initiates a criminal case against Vladimir Skachidub under Part 2 of Article 282. 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a banned extremist organization).

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    Art. 282.2 (2) Recognizance agreement

    Vladimir Skachidub is being prosecuted. The ruling states that he, "participated ... in a religious educational event - a sermon lesson, exercising the role of a preacher ... spread the ideology of the LRO Jehovah's Witnesses."

    Investigator Vitaliy Veter interrogates Vladimir Skachidub. A written undertaking not to leave and proper behavior is taken from him.

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2) Interrogation Believers with a disability Recognizance agreement
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    Case went to court Art. 282.2 (2) Art. 282.2 (1.1)

    Referee: Olga Marchenko. Pavlovsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory (Pavlovskaya Station, Lenin Street, 23). The first hearing in the case of Vladimir Skachidub is underway. The believer is charged immediately under 2 articles of the Criminal Code: participation in the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and involvement of others in the activities of an extremist organization (part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The measure of restraint for him remains unchanged - he is under recognizance not to leave and proper behavior.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Vladimir Skachidub during the court session expresses his attitude to the charges. He notes: "The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation made it clear that its decision of April 20, 2017 does not prohibit the constitutional rights of citizens, including mine. [...] I am a Jehovah's Witness and am prosecuted solely for my peaceful religious activities. [...] It follows from the charges that I face imprisonment just because I exercised my right to profess religion." The believer expresses confidence: "For the court, the striking difference between Christian peaceful service to God, which I am determined to carry out all my life, and extremism, which is completely alien to me, will be obvious."

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Audio recordings of Vladimir Skachidub's conversations about the Bible with one of the interlocutors are listened to. They talk about love for parents, for wife, for Jesus Christ. On the recording, Vladimir can be heard emphasizing: Jehovah's Witnesses do not force anyone to follow biblical standards.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The defendant testifies. He notes that he is accused of peacefully studying the Bible with a local resident, although this does not contradict Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Vladimir explains that he did not force him to do anything, did not call for extremist activities and did not involve him in the LRO. The believer adds: "I understand when cannabis or poppy seeds are seized from a drug addict. He prepares a drug from them, although there are also useful substances in these plants. But what kind of 'drug' is found in the Holy Scriptures in the New World Translation?" One of the editions of this translation, published by Jehovah's Witnesses, was banned for distribution in Russia.

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    Prosecutor requested punishment

    During the debate, prosecutor Volkov requested a sentence of 4 years and 6 months in a general regime colony for Vladimir Skachidub for reading and discussing the Bible.

    The believer's lawyer lists the actions that the law associates with extremism and shows that the defendant did not commit them.

    Another lawyer, referring to the statements of the President of the Russian Federation and prominent political figures, reminds the court of the groundlessness of the criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses.

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    Final statement In the courtroom
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    First Instance Sentence Deprivation of liberty Art. 282.2 (1) Art. 282.2 (2) Believers with a disability

    Judge Olga Marchenko sentences Vladimir Skachidub to 4 years and 2 months in a penal colony. The believer is taken into custody in the courtroom and placed in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Krasnodar, where he will await an appeal against the verdict.

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    Detention center

    The lawyer visits Vladimir Skachidub in SIZO-1 in Krasnodar. The believer is currently being held alone in a double cell. To maintain his physical and emotional health, he regularly goes for walks and does exercises.

    Vladimir has a Bible. He receives letters of support not only from Russia, but also from England, Germany, the USA and other countries. He receives more correspondence in one day than all prisoners in a week.

    At the request of the believer, he was given the necessary medicines, which he takes due to chronic diseases. In the pre-trial detention center, he is respected by both convicts and employees. The prisoners warmly address him as "Uncle Vova".

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    Court of Appeal Deprivation of liberty Art. 282.2 (2) Art. 282.2 (1.1) Believers with a disability

    The Krasnodar Regional Court approves the verdict.

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    Life in prison Elderly

    It becomes known that Vladimir was taken to the place of serving his sentence - to Correctional Colony No. 6 in the Ryazan Region. It is located 1200 km from the believer's house.

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    Life in prison Elderly Believers with a disability

    The lawyer visits Vladimir Skachidub in the colony. Vladimir is not discouraged and maintains a positive attitude. He has all the necessary medicines, the barracks are clean, there is a refrigerator, enough food. The believer also has a Bible. He continues to receive a large number of letters and devotes a lot of time to answering them.

    Vladimir has good relations with other prisoners and the administration. He generously shares with others, treats others kindly. All this, as well as the venerable age of the believer, cause him to be treated with respect.

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    Life in prison Elderly

    Vladimir Skachidub is doing well. He maintains friendly relations with administration staff and prisoners. The believer is grateful to his friends for their support and help. In early April, he should have a meeting with his wife.

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    Life in prison Letters Elderly

    The believer is held in the barracks along with 30 other prisoners. He works in a sewing workshop and feels the joy of being able to sew neatly.

    Vladimir suffers from a serious neurological disease, the neurologist prescribed him the necessary medications. He has no problems receiving medical care in the colony.

    Vladimir's relations with the administration and cellmates are neutral, without conflicts. He regularly receives broadcasts, and he also has a schedule of visits with his wife, the last one was in December 2023.

    The believer is grateful to those who support him in this difficult time for him. He receives letters regularly and has the opportunity to read the Bible.

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    Life in prison Believers with a disability Elderly

    Vladimir Skachidub is experiencing additional health difficulties: he has been feeling congestion and pain in his ears for a long time, which is why his hearing has deteriorated. The believer sought help from the medical unit of the colony, but could not receive it, since there is no otolaryngologist there. In addition, Vladimir suffers from hypertension and takes medications on a regular basis.

    Skachidub applied for parole, but was denied, despite the incentives he had for conscientious work. Also during the parole commission, the believer received a verbal reprimand for not fastening the top button on his jacket.

    Despite the difficulties, Vladimir maintains a positive attitude. He tries to answer all the letters that come to him, and in his spare time he plays chess by correspondence. The believer continues to maintain respectful relations with other prisoners.

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