The Case of Chernykh in Prokopyevsk

FSB officers search the house of Yuri Chernykh and his wife Yelena. After the searches, they are taken for interrogation to the FSB department in Prokopyevsk. It turns out that the investigative actions are taking place in the framework of the criminal case against Andrei Vlasov.

T. V. Zorina, an investigator for internal affairs of the investigative department for the city of Prokopyevsk of the investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass, initiates a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a banned organization) against unidentified persons.

According to the investigation, some residents of Prokopyevsk, "acting deliberately, by a group of persons, in agreement with A.V. Vlasov, realizing criminal intent, being in an unidentified place on the territory of the city of Prokopyevsk ... participated in the activities of the liquidated organization." This is how the investigation characterizes the peaceful worship of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Yuriy Chernykh, the father of a minor child, is being searched again. In addition to electronic media, the security forces seize TV, as well as postcards and personal notes.

Investigator Zorin interrogates Chernykh. He uses Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which gives him the right not to testify against himself and his loved ones. The investigator hands over to the believer the decision to initiate criminal case No. 12102320012000120 against him. An obligation is taken from the Chernykhs to appear.

Previously, Yuri Chernykh was a witness in the case of Andrei Vlasov.

Yuriy Chernykh is elected a new measure of restraint - a written undertaking not to leave.

The case against Yuri Chernykh is submitted to the Central District Court of Prokopyevsk and referred to the Deputy Chairman of the Court, Alyona Novoselova.

The prosecutor announces the charges.

Secret witness Reutov, who had previously testified against another believer from Prokopyevsk, Andrei Vlasov, is being interrogated.

FSB officer Karpov is summoned for questioning.

He finds it difficult to explain on what grounds he determined that the defendant committed criminal activity.

At the meeting, audio recordings of worship services are listened to, in particular, a recording of a conversation on biblical topics, where the question "who is God?" is discussed, as well as tips for strengthening marriage.

The court continues to review video recordings from the case materials that Jehovah's Witnesses use in worship services.

Yuri testifies and explains that thoughts from the Bible were discussed at meetings with friends, which does not require a legal entity.

The prosecutor requests 2.5 years of forced labor for Yuriy Chernykh with a deduction of 15% of his salary in favor of the state.

Referee: Alyona Novoselova. Central District Court of Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo Region (9 Karl Liebknecht St., Prokopyevsk).

Yuriy Chernykh performs forced labor in medical correctional facility No. 16 in the Kemerovo region.