In Kamchatka, an appeals court released spouses arrested for their faith

On August 9 and 10, 2018, Mikhail and Elena Popov, who were arrested in Vilyuchinsk (Kamchatka Territory) on suspicion of practicing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, were released from arrest by an appeal decision of the Kamchatka Regional Court. Mikhail spent 11 days behind bars, Yelena - 4 days plus 7 days under house arrest.

On the morning of July 30, 2018, a series of searches were conducted in the homes of citizens selected on the basis of their attitude to religion in Vilyuchinsk. The Popovs were charged under Part 1 of Article 282.2 and Part 1.1. Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organization of an extremist organization and involvement in the activities of an extremist organization). On August 1, 2018, the Vilyuchinsky City Court chose a measure of restraint in the form of detention for 56-year-old Mikhail Popov. Two days later, his wife Yelena was placed under house arrest.

Appeals were filed against the decisions. On August 9, 2018, Olga Alekseeva, judge of the Kamchatka Regional Court, overturned the decision to detain Mikhail Popov by an appeal decision. On August 10, Judge Yevgeny Kirillov overturned the decision to elect house arrest to Yelena Popova.

Russian law enforcement officers mistakenly mistake the joint religion of citizens for participation in the activities of an extremist organization. Prominent public figures of Russia, as well as the Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation, have already drawn attention to this problem. Believers insist on their complete innocence.