Photo: Anatoly Tokarev

Criminal trial

Anatoly Tokarev, a pensioner from Kirov, was charged under two articles at once

Kirov Region

On November 6, 2019, Anatoliy Tokarev, a resident of Kirov, was charged under two "extremist" articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organizing the activities of an extremist organization, part 1 of article 282.2, and its financing, part 1 of article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

There are no victims in Tokarev's case, and the prosecution repeats word for word the wording previously used against other believers. For example, Georgy Malykh, an investigator for especially important cases who is investigating Tokarev's case, called him the "spiritual leader" of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kirov. Earlier, the same wording was used in the case against Sergey Klimov from Tomsk, who was recently sentenced to 6 years.

Tokarev faces real prison terms for the fact that at his home he conducted "training sessions and meetings in the format of a collective worship service, consisting of the performance of songs ... and prayers to Jehovah God," as well as "appointed readers to study the Bible" and "engaged in pastoral work." In addition, Tokarev is charged with the fact that he did not stop "his personal involvement", in other words, did not renounce his religious beliefs, to which he was legally entitled even after the entry into force of the Supreme Court decision regarding Jehovah's Witnesses. Andrzej Oniszczuk spent 330 days in the Kirov pre-trial detention center on similar charges.

The investigation claims that Tokarev collected funds (which were used to pay utility bills for electricity in an empty worship building and maintain it in technically proper condition). This is what the investigator considered to be the financing of an extremist organization.

Jehovah's Witnesses have nothing to do with extremism. Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation allows any citizen "to freely choose, have and disseminate religious and other beliefs and act in accordance with them." Perceiving law-abiding believers for talking about religion is a significant mistake by law enforcement agencies that distracts them from the fight against real crime.

Case of Tokarev in Kirov

Case History
Peaceful pensioner Anatoly Tokarev, a resident of Kirov, was sentenced by the court to a fine of 500 thousand rubles for his faith. The believer filed a complaint with the courts of appeal and cassation, but the verdict remained unchanged. The prosecutor asked to send the believer to a colony for 3.5 years, accusing him of organizing and financing a banned organization. According to him, this was expressed “in the joint singing of biblical songs and the study of religious literature,” as well as in covering the utility costs of an empty worship building. The persecution of Anatoliy began in May 2019. He was searched, the security forces arrested his apartment and garden, voiced threats to harm his relatives. The believer considers this pressure for refusing to incriminate himself and not admitting guilt in extremism. Judge Skorobogatov ignored the documents submitted by the defendant to international organizations advocating for Anatoly Tokarev’s right to freedom of religion. Interrogation of prosecution witnesses during the trial revealed that their testimony was falsified.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Kirov Region
Locality:
Kirov
Suspected of:
"joint singing of biblical songs ... in his apartment."
Court case number:
11902330022000030
Initiated:
May 8, 2019
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kirov Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-82/2020
Court:
Октябрьский районный суд г. Кирова
Judge:
Скоробогатый Сергей Валерьевич
Case History