Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Criminal trial

On Sakhalin, Criminal Cases for Faith Have Been Opened Against Parents and the Eldest Son. The Youngest Son Defends the Right to ACS in Courts

Sakhalin Region

On March 20, 2020, the investigator D. Melnikov opened another criminal case under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation against local resident Tatyana Kulakova. Criminal investigations are under way against her husband and eldest son, Dmitriy. The youngest of the Kulakov family, Yevgeniy, for reasons of conscience, asks to replace his military service with alternative civilian service (ACS). However, the authorized bodies unreasonably deny his request, threatening criminal prosecution for "evading military service."

More than a year has passed since the first searches were carried out in the homes of peaceful believers on Sakhalin. Back in December 2018, a criminal case was opened in this region against a 57-year-old resident of the city of Nevelsk, Sergey Kulakov. 8 months later, on August 29, 2019, their eldest son, Dmitry, was among the suspects under Article 282.2 (2) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Yevgeny, the youngest of the Kulakov family, for reasons of conscience asks to replace his military service with alternative civilian service (ACS), but the authorized bodies groundlessly refuse him, threatening him with criminal prosecution for "evading military service". The believer had already lost in the court of first instance and appealed to a higher court.

To date, there are at least 20 cases in Russia where two or more family members are prosecuted because of their faith in Jehovah God.

Case of Kulakova in Nevelsk

Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Sakhalin Region
Locality:
Nevelsk
Court case number:
12007640001000006
Initiated:
March 20, 2020
Current case stage:
preliminary investigation
Investigating:
Sakhalin Oblast Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation
Case History

Case of Kulakovs and Others in Nevelsk

Case History
In January 2019, at least 11 searches were carried out at the homes of local Jehovah’s Witnesses in three Sakhalin settlements. The criminal case  against the couple Sergey and Tatyana Kulakov, Vyacheslav Ivanov, Yevgeniy Yelin and Alexandr Kozlitin for their faith, was investigated by the FSB in the Sakhalin Region. In January 2021, the trial began in court, and a year later a verdict was issued: Sergey Kulakov and Yevgeniy Yelin were given a 6.5 year suspended sentence, and Tatyana Kulakova, Vyacheslav Ivanov and Alexandr Kozlitin were given a 2 year suspended sentence. The appellate and cassation courts upheld the verdict.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Sakhalin Region
Locality:
Nevelsk
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, he "led a religious group consisting of Nevelsk residents professing the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses, provided material and other support for the activities of the group, convened corresponding meetings and worship, ensured the performance of religious rites and ceremonies, provided religious teaching and education"
Court case number:
11807640001000020
Initiated:
December 24, 2018
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the Directorate of the FSB of Russia for the Sakhalin Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-2/2022 (1-36/2021; 1-150/2020)
Court:
Невельский городской суд Сахалинской области
Judge:
Никита Кучеров
Case History

Case of Ivanov and Kulakov in Nevelsk

Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Sakhalin Region
Locality:
Nevelsk
Suspected of:
According to the investigation “they having conspired prior ... had conversations with the residents of this house, trying to impose on them the ideas preached by a religious association liquidated by court order in connection with extremist activities”
Court case number:
11901640016000206
Initiated:
August 29, 2019
Current case stage:
case dismissed
Investigating:
Investigation Department of DMIA of Russia for Nevelsk Urban District
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Case History
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