In the photo from left to right, from top to bottom: Yevgeniy Yelin, Alexandr Kozlitin, the Kulakovs, Vyacheslav Ivanov.

In the photo from left to right, from top to bottom: Yevgeniy Yelin, Alexandr Kozlitin, the Kulakovs, Vyacheslav Ivanov.

In the photo from left to right, from top to bottom: Yevgeniy Yelin, Alexandr Kozlitin, the Kulakovs, Vyacheslav Ivanov.

Unjust Verdicts

The Court of Cassation Upheld the Verdict Against Five Jehovah's Witnesses from Nevelsk

Sakhalin Region

On November 8, 2022, the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Vladivostok confirmed the conviction of five believers from Nevelsk — their suspended sentences of two to six-and-a-half years remain unchanged.

In January 2022, the Nevelsk City Court of the Sakhalin Region found Sergey and Tatyana Kulakov, Vyacheslav Ivanov, Aleksandr Kozlitin and Yevgeniy Yelin guilty of either organizing or participating in the activity of an extremist organization. Three months later, the Sakhalin Regional Court dismissed the believers' appeal against the verdict.

The fact that the criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses continues contrary to Russian law, causes bewilderment and misunderstanding among the international human rights community.

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

Ivanov
Vyacheslav
Kozlitin
Aleksandr
Kulakov
Sergey
Kulakova
Tatyana
Yelin
Yevgeniy

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