The case of Zhigalov and Kudinov in Sevastopol

Case History

In August 2022, another search was carried out in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sevastopol. Two men, Sergey Zhigalov and Viktor Kudinov, were detained, and 2 days later they were placed under house arrest. The Investigative Committee charged the believers with organizing the activities of an extremist organization for holding online worship services. In October, the court replaced the men’s preventive measure with a ban on certain actions. The case went to court in March 2023.
Timeline

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    Search Temporary detention facility Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1) Interrogation

    Senior investigator of the investigation department for the Nakhimovsky district of the city of Sevastopol, M. E. Ukrainsky, initiates separate criminal cases against 51-year-old Sergey Zhigalov and 53-year-old Viktor Kudinov on suspicion of violating part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The two cases are subsequently merged into one.

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    House arrest

    Judge of the Gagarinsky District Court of the city of Sevastopol, Lyudmila Tumaykina, chooses a measure of restraint for Sergey Zhigalov and Viktor Kudinov in the form of house arrest for two months, that is, until October 23, 2022. Believers are forbidden to leave their place of residence, communicate with anyone other than those living with them, and use any means of communication. The judge also recognizes the lawfulness of searches in the homes of believers.

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    Prohibition of certain actions

    The judge of the Gagarinsky District Court of Sevastopol, Pavel Kryllo, changes Sergey Zhigalov and Viktor Kudinov's preventive measure to prohibit certain actions. Among other things, the court forbade believers "to attend collective meetings of persons supporting the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses."

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    Case returned to investigator

    The head of the investigation department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol returns the criminal case for further investigation. The cases of Kudinov and Zhigalov are combined into one proceeding.

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    Art. 282.2 (1)

    Viktor Kudinov and Sergey Zhigalov are charged in the final version. The investigation classifies peaceful online worship services as extremist events. The believers do not fully admit guilt, they do not agree with the ruling, "since they did not commit any crime against the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the state."

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    Case went to court

    The case goes to the Gagarinsky District Court of the city of Sevastopol. It will be considered by the judge Sergey Korotun.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The first hearing is taking place. The defendants apply for the admission of members of the public to the courtroom and for the preparation of a record of the court session. The judge decides to hold the trial behind closed doors.

    The defendants begin to familiarize themselves with the materials of the case.

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