In the photo: Vladimir Chesnokov, Valery Yakovlev, Vladimir Dutkin, April 2022

In the photo: Vladimir Chesnokov, Valery Yakovlev, Vladimir Dutkin, April 2022

In the photo: Vladimir Chesnokov, Valery Yakovlev, Vladimir Dutkin, April 2022

Unjust Verdicts

An Appeals Court Left Unchanged the Appeal of Three Cheboksary-Based Believers of an Unjust Verdict

Chuvashia

On August 17, 2022, the Sixth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction did not satisfy the complaint of three residents of Cheboksary against the appeal ruling of the Supreme Court of the Chuvash Republic and the verdict of the Kalininskiy District Court of the city of Cheboksary.

Vladimir Dutkin, Vladimir Chesnokov and Valeriy Yakovlev received convictions only because they professed the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. For this, in January 2022, they were fined large sums of money. In April of the same year, the court of appeal approved the verdict, but the believers pleaded not guilty and appealed to the court of cassation.

“The court verdict is an act of direct and indirect religious discrimination, said Vladimir Dutkin in his appeal to the court. — Therefore, I am a victim of discrimination . . . and have been treated in violation of Art. 19 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation”.

The case of Dutkin and Others in Cheboksary

Case History
In November 2020, insurance agent Vladimir Dutkin was searched. Two days earlier, FSB investigator Mukhin opened a criminal case against him under an extremist article, and they took a written undertaking not to leave the place. In June 2021, Valery Yakovlev and Vladimir Chesnokov became new defendants in the case. They were accused of meeting with fellow believers in rented premises, discussing religion and drinking tea. In July 2021, the case went to court. Independent examinations refuted the accusations and found that the believers “called for honesty, restraint, and patience in relation to dissidents.” Six months later, the prosecutor requested from 6 to 6.5 years in prison for believers. In February 2022, the judge sentenced the believers to a fine: Vladimir Dutkin — 500 thousand rubles, the rest — 400 thousand rubles each. In April 2022, this sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal. In August 2022, the Court of Cassation upheld the verdict and decision of the appellate instance.
Timeline

Persons in case

Chesnokov
Vladimir
Dutkin
Vladimir
Yakovlev
Valeriy

Criminal case

Region:
Chuvashia
Locality:
Cheboksary
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, "realizing the illegality of their actions ... organized and conducted meetings (meetings) of the religious group of Jehovah's Witnesses in Cheboksary in specially rented premises, fenced with a solid high fence with a separate entrance, excluding any visual and voice contacts with unauthorized persons, under the guise of friendly meetings, tea parties, barbecue cooking
Court case number:
12007970001000045
Initiated:
November 25, 2020
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Branch of the Federal Security Service of Russia in the Chuvash Republic
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-2/2022 (1-347/2021)
Court of First Instance:
Калининский районный суд города Чебоксар Чувашской Республики
Judge:
Сергей Орлов
Case History