Court of Appeal in Chelyabinsk Upheld the Verdict Against Andrey Perminov, One of Jehovah's Witnesses. Disabled Person Will Serve a 6-Year Suspended Sentence

On March 3, 2023, the Chelyabinsk Regional Court upheld the verdict against Andrey Perminov who is severely disabled — a 6-year suspended sentence. Judge Marina Klyushina agreed with the ruling of the court of first instance to deem peaceful religious services and discussions of the Bible to be extremism.

The verdict has entered into force. Although the legislation of the Russian Federation does not classify the dissemination and practice of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses as extremism, the courts interpreted the believer's actions as organizing the activity of an extremist organization. The prosecutor's office found the ruling of the court of first instance to be too lenient and appealed it.

Speaking at the appeal hearing, Andrey Perminov said: “Punishment is carried out for a specific purpose, namely, to correct the offender. I don't understand how exactly I should correct myself. During the course of the trial, it only was “revealed” that I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. My only “guilt” was that I studied the Bible, sang songs, discussed Bible thoughts with friends and shared knowledge with others... I have a feeling that the investigation and the prosecution want me to change my faith, renounce God, my heavenly Father... In fact, the prosecution suggests that I become an ungrateful son. This will never happen!”

Andrey Perminov has been subjected to criminal prosecution for the second year. He says: “The searches leave a scar. Headlights, cars stopping under the windows made us nervous for a long time”. He adds: “We have a small budget and there are expenses for issuing powers of attorney for my wife, because I am disabled and cannot go to the various authorities... I was added on the list of Rosfinmonitoring as an extremist, and all my bank accounts and cards were blocked... I am very glad that my employer did not terminate my contract when he found out about the criminal case. It is a lifesaver that the post office employees deliver the disability pension to my door”.

According to Andrey, like-minded people have become a huge support for him. “Friends have been constantly sending messages that they love us and pray fervently for us,” he says and adds –– “With the support of God, we will endure everything and he will restore everything - both reputation and inner peace.”

In a recent decision, the European Court emphasized the unlawfulness of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia: “Legal formalities should not be used to hinder the freedom of association of groups disliked by the authorities or advocating ideas that the authorities would like to suppress” (§ 243). Eric Patterson, executive vice president of the Religious Freedom Institute and former dean of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government, also noted, “Russia’s continuing persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses as ‘extremists’ who threaten Russia’s national security is unfair and unwise.”