The Jewish Autonomous Region court confirmed Yevgeniy Golik's conviction of a two-and-a-half year probation for discussing the Bible

On March 16, 2021, the Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region, having considered Evgeniy Golik's appeal against the verdict of the Birobidzhan District Court, left the suspended sentence - 2.5 years - unchanged. The verdict entered into force, but can be appealed at the cassation instance.

On January 20, 2021, the Birobidzhan District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region found Yevgeniy Golik guilty of participating in the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) for discussing the Bible with other Jehovah's Witnesses during religious meetings. The believer was sentenced to two and a half years of suspended imprisonment with a probationary period of 3 years and restriction of liberty for 1 year. Evgeniy Golik appealed against the verdict.

The appeal hearings were held at the Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region. Judge of the panel of judges Angela Sizova did not allow the believer to fully express his position. She interrupted his speech during the debate, arguing that those present were "of a different faith."

In his appeal to the court, Yevgeniy Golik stressed that he was accused of extremism for Christian activities, which have nothing to do with crimes. He also recalled that the Supreme Court did not ban the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

“Who suffered from my actions? From my faith? From my prayers? If there are victims in this case, it is me and my family. Recognition as an extremist limits my rights. My bank card is blocked. How can I provide myself and my family with honest labor? ” The believer asked the court questions.

Addressing the panel of judges, Yevgeniy Golik said: “Today believers are hated and persecuted, it seems, only because they are somehow different from the majority. But to be different does not mean to be an extremist. "

After hearing the arguments, the judges partially satisfied the appeal of the prosecutor, who asked not to indicate a specific city when imposing an additional sentence in the form of restricting the freedom of the defendant. The rest of the verdict remained unchanged.

In recent years, 23 residents of the Jewish Autonomous Region have been prosecuted for their peaceful religion, 9 believers, including Yevgeniy Golik, have already been convicted, 12 people are under consideration in court.

The Russian and international community are outraged by the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. In a joint statement from 36 human rights and public organizations in Russia, it is said: “We call on the Russian authorities to stop [violation of rights], interrogations and prosecutions for the peaceful religious activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. We ask international organizations and governments of democratic states to call on the Russian government to end the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. […] After Jehovah's Witnesses were outlawed in Russia, the number of acts of intolerance, violence and discrimination on the basis of religion against members of this community is constantly growing. ”