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Inside Penal Colonies and Detention Centers

Oleg Danilov, imprisoned for his faith, unjustly sent to a punishment cell

Krasnodar Territory

On 10 October, 2021 it became known that Oleg Danilov, serving his sentence for his Christian beliefs in the Akhtar colony, was unreasonably placed in a punishment cell. His detention in the penal cell was later extended by 15 days without any explanation.

Jehovah's Witness Oleg Danilov was sent to correctional colony № 11 in Krasnodar region in September 2021. During this short period the administration of the institution has already issued him two groundless reprimands, on the basis of which he was found to be a persistent violator of the order. At least one of the "violations" was fabricated with particular cynicism: a correctional officer took off Danilov's headdress and photographed him, after which he accused him of violating the internal regulations — as if he was inappropriately dressed.

Penal detention isolators have the strictest conditions of detention. According to the Criminal Executive Code, detainees in the penal cell "are prohibited from receiving visits, telephone calls, receiving parcels and packages, buying any food, smoking, and bringing food and personal items with the exception of basic necessities (toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, towels, and so on). In addition, the existence of penalties can prevent a prisoner from being released on parole or having his sentence commuted.

Placement in a punishment cell is used as a corrective measure for those who maliciously violate the regime of the colony or pose a threat to others (Article 116 of the Penal Enforcement Code). For example, punitive measures are used if an inmate uses alcohol or drugs, keeps prohibited items, clashes with other inmates or the administration, refuses to work or follow the internal rules of the institution.

This is the second instance in which Jehovah's Witnesses have been placed in a punishment cell in Krasnodar Krai colonies without justification. In late September 2021, Viktor Stashevsky, who is serving a sentence in the Khadyzhensk colony, was also placed in punitive confinement, allegedly because of the severe category of the article under which he was convicted.

Case of Danilov in Kholmskaya

Case History
Oleg Danilov was searched twice, in April and December 2020, because of his faith in Jehovah God. For the first time, the security forces did not find anything forbidden on the believer, but in November 2020, the FSB opened a criminal case against him under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for participating in “religious teaching and sermons” and “collective discussion of the Bible.” The investigation was conducted by O. I. Komissarov, who also handled the case of Alexander Ivshin. On March 23, 2021, the judge of the Abinsk District Court of the Krasnodar Territory, Olga Khomchenkova, held the first hearing in the case of Danilov, and on March 29, the prosecutor requested a sentence of 3 years in prison for him. This is the punishment the court imposed on the believer. The Krasnodar Regional Court upheld the verdict. Danilov was placed in a colony in the city of Khadyzhensk, and later transferred to a colony in the village of Akhtarsky, where the administration infringes on his rights and unreasonably applies penalties. In June 2022, the court of cassation upheld the verdict.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnodar Territory
Locality:
Kholmskaya
Suspected of:
"participation in the activities of a religious association, in respect of which the court made a final decision on liquidation in connection with the implementation of extremist activities"
Court case number:
12007030001000146
Initiated:
November 12, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Krasnodar Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-85/2021
Court:
Abinsk District Court of the Krasnodar Territory
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Olga Khomchenkova
Case History
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