The case of Voronchikhin and Others in Simferopol

Investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation V.A. Novikov initiates a criminal case against several Jehovah's Witnesses from Crimea. According to the investigation, they committed "active actions of an organizational nature, expressed in the organization of propaganda meetings, at which discussions were held on the texts and religious provisions of Jehovah's Witnesses."

Aleksandr Voronchikhin and Dmitriy Zakharevich are filing an appeal against the court's decision to allow a search of their home.

The case against Victor Mani is separated into a separate proceeding, and later new defendants appear in it.

In three cities of Crimea — Armyansk, Simferopol and Saki — searches are being conducted in 9 houses of believers.

Investigator Novikov involves Dmitry Zakharevich and Alexander Kopylets as defendants in the criminal case.

Zakharevich and Kopylets were placed under house arrest.

Several other Jehovah's Witnesses are being searched.

The case is submitted to the Simferopol District Court for consideration.

The measure of restraint in the form of house arrest for Dmitry Zakharevich and Alexander Kopylets is extended until December 11, 2023. Alexander Voronchikhin and Ekaterina Demidova were chosen as a preventive measure in the form of a written undertaking not to leave and proper behavior.

Judge Olga Chepil decides to return the case to the prosecutor "to remove obstacles to its consideration by the court."

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea makes a decision on the appeal of the prosecutor and the appeal of the defender against the decision of the Simferopol District Court to return the criminal case to the prosecutor, initiated by the same court. The appeal upheld this ruling. The case must be returned to the prosecutor in order to remove obstacles to its consideration.

The house arrest of A. Kopylets and D. Zakharevich has been extended until April 26, 2024.

Senior investigator A. Rudoy changes the measure of restraint for Aleksandr Kopylets and Dmitry Zakharevich to a recognizance not to leave and proper behavior.

Oleksandr Kopylets is charged with a new edition. The believer does not admit his guilt. "I do not agree with the charges, since I have never carried out, organized or continued extremist activities," he said.

Oleksandr Kopylets is notified of the completion of the investigation.