Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

In Surgut, the flame of religious persecution does not subside. Two believers were again searched

Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area

On December 6, 2019, repeated searches were carried out in the homes of residents of Surgut (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug), accused of extremism because of their religion. It is known about the searches of Ilkhom Aminzhanov and Timofey Zhukov. Less than a year has passed since believers in this city were tortured for their religious beliefs.

It is already known that the search took place in the apartments of Ilkhom Aminzhanov and Timofey Zhukov. The case against them under Articles 282.2 (1) and 282.2 (2) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation was initiated on February 11, 2019. The search was led by the investigator of the investigation department for the city of Pyt-Yakh, senior lieutenant of justice Igonina Elena Olegovna. Electronic devices were seized from believers. Information about other possible searches is being clarified.

The wave of terror against peaceful believers in Surgut began on February 15, 2019, when, after mass searches accompanied by brutal torture, at least 15 people were detained and taken to the investigating authorities. And the total number of persons against whom criminal cases have been initiated in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug is now 22.

Case of Loginov and Others in Surgut

Case History
In February 2019, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against 18 men and 1 woman from Surgut (among them was a man mistaken for a Jehovah’s Witness). Their homes were searched. During the interrogations, 7 believers were subjected to violence. Artur Severinchik was sent to a pre-trial detention center for 29 days, and Yevgeny Fedin and Sergey Loginov - for 56. Timofey Zhukov was illegally placed in a psychiatric hospital for 14 days. Believers complained about the use of torture to the Investigative Committee, the ECHR and the Commissioner for Human Rights, a press conference was held with the participation of human rights defenders, but none of the security forces was ever brought to justice. In October 2021, the case materials were submitted to the court. The prosecutor requested imprisonment for the defendants for a term of 3 years and 3 months to 8.5 years in prison, and for Loginov - 9.5 years, which was the most severe request for punishment for believing in Jehovah God in modern Russia.
Timeline

Persons in case

Kim
Artem
Boronos
Vyacheslav
Burenesku
Vasily
Fedin
Evgeny
Fefilov
Victor
Gargalyk
Saveliy
Petrov
Igor
Kayryak
Evgeny
Kobotov
Igor
Logins
Sergey
Plekhov
Aleksey
Romashov
Paul
Rysikov
Leonid
Severinchik
Arthur
Shepel
Viola
Trifonov
Igor
Volosnikov
Sergey
Zhukov
Timofey

Criminal case

Region:
Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area
Locality:
Surgut
Suspected of:
delivering speeches, engaging in the Witnesses' public preaching activity with local members, meeting with Bible education volunteers and appointed congregation assistants, and having as one objective the organizing of appointed men in the Vzlyotnove Congregation
Court case number:
42002007709000023
Initiated:
February 11, 2019
Current case stage:
verdict did not take effect
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the city of Surgut of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Khanty-Mansi Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1), 282.3 (1), 282.2 (2)
Court case number:
№ 1-27/2023 (1-130/2022; 1-1348/2021)
Court:
Сургутский городской суд
Judge:
Дмитрий Люпин
Case History
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