The case of Loginskiy and Others in Sochi

Case History

In March 2021, Vladimir Deshko, Yuriy Loginsky, Yuriy Moskalyov and Tatyana Velizhanina were arrested for their belief in God. Officers of the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Krasnodar Territory participated in the detention of Sochi residents. Two days later, the court ruled to detain Deshko and Velizhanina in a pre-trial detention center, and Loginsky and Moskalev under house arrest. For conversations about God with local residents, believers were accused of “involvement in the activities of an extremist organization.” Tatyana Velizhanina had covid in a pre-trial detention center. She and Deshko were placed under house arrest after 11 and 10 months in a pre-trial detention center, respectively. In February 2022, the criminal case was submitted to the Khostinsky District Court of Sochi, and it was appointed to Judge Konstantin Sidoruk. On March 28, 2022, he found the believers guilty and sentenced Velizhanina to 1 year and 5 months, and Deshko to 1 year and 4 months in prison, which they actually served. Moskalev and Loginskiy were sentenced to 2 years of suspended sentence without restriction of freedom with a probationary period of 2 years.

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    Search Detention center Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1.1)
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    The court prolongs the detention of Vladimir Deshko. He is transferred from the Sochi detention center 400 km away to the Armavir pre-trial detention center-2.

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    Tatyana Velizhanina is brought to Sochi from the Armavir pre-trial detention center No. 2 to extend the measure of restraint. The Khostinsky District Court of Sochi extends the preventive measure for her: she must be kept in a pre-trial detention center until at least May 18, 2021. After the trial, the investigator continues to keep her in the local temporary detention facility, so she cannot receive letters yet.

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    The lawyer visits Tatiana in the pre-trial detention center. She says that she had covid in August, she still has a cough, but she feels good. Due to her illness, she was unable to attend the court hearing, where it was decided to extend her detention.

    Tatiana has already received about 1500 letters from fellow believers from all over the world. They serve as support not only for the believer herself, but also for her cellmates. "The girls are waiting for my letters," says Tatiana.

    A week ago, the believer was given a complete Bible. Thanks to the advice from this book, she manages to create a friendly atmosphere in the cell and avoid conflicts.

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    It becomes known that Vladimir Deshko and Tatyana Velizhanina are in IVS No. 3 in Sochi.

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    It becomes known that the Court of Appeal in Krasnodar transfers Vladimir Deshko under house arrest. The believer spent 10 months in a pre-trial detention center in Sochi.

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    The materials of the criminal case against Vladimir Deshko, Yuri Loginsky, Yuri Moskalev and Tatyana Velizhanina are submitted to the Khostinsky District Court of Sochi. According to the investigation, sufficient evidence of the guilt of believers has been collected. All four are charged with participation in the activities of an extremist organization and the involvement of a resident of Sochi in it.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The Khostinsky District Court of Sochi releases Tatyana Velizhanina under house arrest. She is allowed two-hour walks. She spent more than 11 months in the pre-trial detention center of the city of Armavir.

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    Prosecutor requested punishment First Instance Sentence

    The prosecutor asks the court to sentence the believers to imprisonment for Yuriy Loginskiy and Yuriy Moskalev for a period of 1 year and 4 months with a probationary period of 2 years and 6 months, and the prosecution asks for Vladimir Deshko and Tatyana Velizhanina a sentence corresponding to the term already served.

    Judge Konstantin Sidoruk finds the believers guilty and sentences Velizhanina to 1 year and 5 months, and Deshko to 1 year and 4 months in prison, which they have actually already served. Moskalev and Loginskiy were sentenced to 2 years of suspended sentence without restriction of freedom with a probationary period of 2 years.

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    First Instance Sentence Art. 282.2 (2) Art. 282.2 (1.1) Deprivation of liberty Suspended sentence Secret witness Prosecution of several family members
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