The Case of Dolganov in Tolyatti

Anatoly Grekov, senior investigator of the Central Interdistrict District Department of Tolyatti, singles out a new case against 34-year-old Aleksandr Dolganov from the criminal case against Alexander Chagan on charges of participating in the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The investigation calls the confession of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses illegal activity.

In Tolyatti, searches are being conducted in four homes of Jehovah's Witnesses. Early in the morning, the security forces broke into the home of Alexander Dolganov, his wife and parents. Some of the law enforcement officers are armed. When the suspect's mother has high blood pressure against the background of what is happening, an ambulance is called for her. The security forces take Dolganov to the investigation department, and his wife and father come for interrogation on their own. After the interrogation, at about 20:00, Aleksandr was sent to the temporary detention facility.

The judge of the Central District Court of Tolyatti, E. A. Laskina, elects a measure of restraint for Alexander Dolganov in the form of house arrest for a period of 1 month and 28 days, until July 14, 2023 inclusive. The believer is also forbidden to use means of communication and the Internet.

Investigator Grekov prosecutes Aleksandr Dolganov as a defendant under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The proof of the believer's guilt, according to the investigation, is his participation in the liturgical meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The case is submitted to the Central District Court of Tolyatti and appointed to Judge Elena Laskina.

The case is sent to the jurisdiction of the Avtozavodsky District Court of Tolyatti.

The court changes Alexander Dolganov's measure of restraint from house arrest to a ban on certain actions.

The case is registered in the Avtozavodsky District Court of Tolyatti and appointed to judge Anna Tokareva.

A preliminary hearing is being held behind closed doors. The judge rejects the defense's request to terminate the criminal case and extends Dolganov's preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions until May 2024.

The prosecutor reads out the charges. The defendant expresses his attitude towards him: "The material evidence collected by the prosecution testifies to my peaceful attitude towards people and that the motive of my actions is always love for people and God."

The court grants two motions: to provide the defendant with the opportunity to familiarize himself with the records of court hearings as they are made, and to examine material evidence (partially). The court does not satisfy the defendant's request to summon new witnesses who were witnesses during the searches, considering it premature.

The defendant's father is being questioned. He refuses to testify against his son, so his testimony given during the preliminary investigation is announced.

The defendant petitions for the exclusion of psychological and religious expertise from the case file, arguing that it was obtained in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure. So, it was carried out before the initiation of a criminal case, and Dolganov was not notified about it. Also, those who conducted the examination are not state forensic experts. The judge decides to consider this petition after studying the case file.

The secret witness Ivanov is being interrogated. The petition to declassify his identity is rejected by the court.

Witness M. V. Kokhalskaya, who collaborated with the police and secretly filmed online worship services, is being interrogated.

The woman does not hide her negative attitude towards believers. She has previously been involved in lawsuits against other Jehovah's Witnesses in Togliatti.

The witness says that he does not know the defendant personally and cannot say anything specific about him.

A technician who is not familiar with Dolganov is being interrogated. He did not examine the equipment seized from him and did not see what programs were installed on the defendant's device.

Kirill Kirushin, who participated in the preparation of a psychological and religious examination, although he does not have a higher education in psychology, is being interrogated. Previously, he participated in trials in the cases of other Togliatti residents.

Answering the question by what actions of Dolganov he realized that he was conducting extremist activities, he refers to the case materials. About what he concluded that Dolganov belonged to an extremist organization, Kirushin says: "Only from the words of the investigator." When asked if he has a dislike for Jehovah's Witnesses, he refuses to answer.

Expert Lenar Galiev is being interrogated. It turns out that he does not have the qualification of a religious scholar. He admits that his attitude to the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses was formed under the influence of the books of sect scholars, and not on the basis of audio recordings of the worship services of believers, from which he compiled an examination. He believes that Dolganov uses the name of God "specifically."

He claims that the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia as an organization appeared in 1931, which is not true.

The prosecutor selectively reads out the case materials, including excerpts from the Bible and fiction that use the name of God, Jehovah.

Alexander and his wife Maria read out their affidavits.

In her speech, Maria talks about her relationship with her husband and his reputation: "My husband and I have been in a happy and legal marriage for more than 6 years. And my husband's religion only helps to make our marriage stronger. For him, faith in God is not a position in some legal organization, but a life according to principles and beliefs ... My husband's religion does not imply hermitism and fanaticism. He always had a lot of friends. Acquaintances, neighbors and colleagues speak positively about him. My husband was educated in a government agency. He has many years of experience in official work. He genuinely loves his city and supports Togliatti sports teams."

FSB operative Konstantin Tvoryanovich, a technical specialist who looked through Dolganov's computer during the search, is being interrogated.

The court examines three DVDs. The defendant notes that there is no mention of legal entities and there are no extremist statements, but simply a biblical discussion. For example, topics such as showing love, preparing for natural disasters, living in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and respecting authority are raised. The defendant concludes: "I don't understand how with these comments I could push anyone to unlawful deeds."

The prosecutor requests a punishment for the believer in the form of 5 years of imprisonment in a general regime colony with restriction of freedom for 10 months.

Alexander Dolganov speaks with the last word: "No matter what sentence is pronounced, I will not renounce my faith."

Alexander Dolganov is in SIZO-4 in the city of Togliatti. He can receive letters of support.