Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Criminal trial

A Witness in the Suvorovs Case from Chelyabinsk Became an Accused. Pavel Popov will be in the Dock Because of His Faith

Chelyabinsk Region

On May 18, 2021, security officials searched the house of Pavel Popov, 44, from Yemanzhelinsk, a city about 40 kilometers from Chelyabinsk. The believer was detained, but later released on recognizance agreement. A criminal case was initiated under Part 1 of Art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organization of extremist activities).

At 7:00 am, Russian Guard officers knocked loudly at the apartment of the Popovs and ordered to open the door. They put Pavel against the wall with his hands up. Later, the investigator allowed the believer to move freely around his flat. The 5-hour search was conducted in the presence of attesting witnesses who said they were law college students and future police officers. Pavel's garage and car were also examined. Law enforcers seized the Popovs' phones, tablets, computers, as well as a registration certificate for a car, which, according to the investigator, would be a pledge in case of a fine for the believer.

After the search, the entire Popov family, including their 13-year-old daughter, was taken to the Chelyabinsk Investigative Committee for interrogation. Investigator Aleksandr Chepenko acquainted Pavel with the preliminary materials of the criminal case initiated on April 22, 2021. The documents turned out to be very similar to the materials of the case of another believer from Chelyabinsk, Valentina Suvorova. Pavel does not consider himself guilty of a “crime” of simply practicing religion.

Two years ago, on March 26, 2020, Pavel Popov was already searched, but after interrogation he was released. The current criminal case against Popov was separated from the case of Valentina Suvorova, who was sentenced to 2 years probation for her faith. Also in Chelyabinsk, Vladimir Suvorov and Dmitriy Vinogradov are persecuted for their faith.

The Case of Popov in Chelyabinsk

Case History
The security forces searched the apartment of Pavel Popov and his wife in the presence of their young daughter twice - in 2019 and 2021. A peaceful believer from Yemanzhelinsk was brought in as a witness in the case of Valentina Suvorova from Chelyabinsk, and in April 2021, investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Alexander Chepenko opened a criminal case against him. He considered preaching, singing religious songs and prayers to be organizing the activities of an extremist organization. In November 2021, the case went to court. During the hearings, it became obvious that the testimony of prosecution witnesses was falsified, and the prosecution had no evidence. Despite this, the prosecutor asked the court to sentence the believer to 8 years in prison. In May 2022, the believer was found guilty and sentenced to 6 years probation with a probation period of 4 years. The appeal and cassation upheld the verdict.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Chelyabinsk Region
Locality:
Chelyabinsk
Court case number:
12102750030000010
Initiated:
April 22, 2021
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Chelyabinsk Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-77/2022 (1-659/2021)
Court of First Instance:
Металлургический районный суд г. Челябинска
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Мария Мельникова
Case History
Back to top