Case of Savelyev in Novosibirsk

Case History

Six years in a penal colony—this was the harsh sentence that 66-year-old Yuri Savelyev from the city of Novosibirsk received for his faith. The man was arrested in November 2018 during searches in the homes of believers. He was in pre-trial detention until his sentencing in December 2020. The appellate court, and later the cassation court, upheld the verdict. In May 2021, Yuriy Savelyev was transferred to Penal Colony No. 5 in the city of Rubtsovsk, Altai Territory. In the colony, the administration, with no legitimate basis, tried to force the believer into treatment for alcoholism. On far-fetched grounds, the elderly man spent about nine months in harsh conditions of detention. Yuriy was released in July 2023.

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    July 2017 — September 2018

    The investigation concludes that Yuri Savelyev decided to re-organize the activities of the liquidated LRO in Novosibirsk.

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    August 4, 2018

    Covert video surveillance is being conducted in Savelyev's apartment in an attempt to record his practice of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

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    November 7, 2018

    Investigator of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Novosibirsk Region A. N. Bryuzgin initiates a criminal case against Yuri Savelyev and other unidentified persons under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

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    November 8, 2018

    Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk Y.G. Korneva issues a search warrant in Savelyev's home.

    Savelyev's apartment was searched, and he himself was actually detained.

    From the evening until the morning of the next day, searches are carried out in the homes of Novosibirsk believers at 10 addresses. Savelyev was charged under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation

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    November 10, 2018

    The judge of the Central District Court of Novosibirsk M.A. Shishkina makes a decision on the election of a preventive measure for Savelyev in the form of detention for 1 month 29 days, that is, until 07.01.2019. On the same day, Savelyev was placed in SIZO-1.

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    November 12, 2018 Search
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    November 21, 2018

    Judge Zykin of the Novosibirsk Regional Court rejects the appeals and supports Savelyev's detention.

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    December 24, 2018

    A judge of the Novosibirsk Regional Court recognizes as lawful the search conducted at Savelyev's house during his detention.

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    December 29, 2018

    Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk Tsygankova I.V. extends the measure of restraint in the form of detention for another 2 months, that is, until 07.03.2019.

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    January 2019

    It becomes known that Savelyev is included in the List of individuals associated with extremism of Rosfinmonitoring. He is deprived of the opportunity to receive a pension and use bank accounts.

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    January 21, 2019

    Judge Samulin of the Novosibirsk Regional Court rejects the appeal and supports the extension of Savelyev's detention.

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    March 4, 2019

    Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk Lukash E.V. extends the detention of Savelyev for another 2 months until 07.05.2019.

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    March 22, 2019

    Judge of the Novosibirsk Regional Court I.V. Pavlova rejects the appeals and supports the extension of Savelyev's detention.

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    April 18, 2019
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    April 19, 2019

    In Novosibirsk, new searches are being carried out in the homes of believers, a total of 12 addresses. It becomes known that the FSB opened a new criminal case against Marina Chaplykina, Valery Maletskov, Alexander Seredkin. They are placed in an isolation ward.

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    April 21, 2019

    The Oktyabrsky District Court releases Valery Maletskov and Alexander Seredkin under house arrest, but Yuriy Savelyev remains in the pre-trial detention center. Chaplykina signed a recognizance not to leave.

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    April 30, 2019

    Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk Thor K.G. extends Savelyeva's detention for another 2 months until 07.07.2019.

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    May 21, 2019

    The judge of the Novosibirsk Regional Court rejects the appeals and supports the extension of Savelyev's detention.

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    July 3, 2019

    Leninskiy District Court extends Savelyev's detention for another 2 months until 07.09.2019

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    July 17, 2019

    The Novosibirsk Regional Court, having considered the appeal, decides to reduce the period of his detention by 2 days, namely until September 5, 2019.

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    July 29, 2019

    In Novosibirsk, another wave of police raids on the apartments of believers is taking place.

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    August 2019

    The investigation of the criminal case against Savelyev is over, the accused and lawyers are getting acquainted with the materials of the criminal case.

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    August 6, 2019 Search
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    October 30, 2019

    The Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk extends the measure of restraint in the form of detention for another 6 months. At the same time, it turns out that Yuriy was placed in a punishment cell for 14 days in a pre-trial detention center without explanation.

    As of October 30, 2019, in just under a year in the pre-trial detention center, Yuriy received a total of 2542 letters of support from fellow believers around the world.

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    December 12, 2019

    Judge E. V. Kashina refuses to satisfy the request to return the criminal case to the prosecutor, but draws the prosecutor's attention to the fact that "the indictment does not indicate the evidence of the defense and does not provide a summary of it." The prosecutor objects.

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    December 13, 2019

    A witness, 82-year-old Galina Borgerdt, was planned to be questioned, but she does not appear in court due to poor health. The judge rejects the request to release the defendant from the protective booth for the duration of the hearing, because of this, he cannot hear what is happening in the courtroom.

    The next meetings are scheduled for December 26 at 11:00 and January 13, 2020 at 11:00.

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    January 13, 2020

    Four witnesses give positive characteristics of the defendant, and also explain the difference between a legal entity and a group of believers. They explain that Yuriy Savelyev has never been the head of any banned legal entity, did not organize or continue the activities of any extremist organizations. The next hearings are scheduled for January 23 and 30.

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    January 23, 2020

    About 30 people gather in the building of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk to support the defendant. Four more interrogated witnesses speak about Yuriy Savelyev as a kind, sympathetic and law-abiding person who has never been associated with extremism. They also explain that worship services are not the activities of any legal entity; the right of believers to assemble together is protected by the Constitution; An elder is not a position, but a spiritual attribute; Donations are entirely voluntary, and they do not involve funding anyone or anything illegal.

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    March 11, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Ekaterina Kashina. Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk (159 Svyazistov Street).

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    April 16, 2020

    Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk Ekaterina Kashina extends Yuri's preventive measure in the form of detention until July 22, 2020.

    The court session is held without listeners using the videoconferencing system between the courtroom and the pre-trial detention center.

    Yuriy draws the court's attention to the unfavorable sanitary and epidemiological situation in the pre-trial detention center in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, one of his cellmates performs work in a pre-trial detention center that involves contact with a large number of people. But at the same time, he does not use a mask, gloves, or shoe covers. This creates conditions for a high risk of infection of others.

    The next hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2020.

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    April 22, 2020
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    April 27, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Referee: Ekaterina Kashina. Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk (159 Svyazistov Street).

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    June 18, 2020

    The Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk is holding a hearing in the case of Yuri Savelyev - the first after the end of quarantine in a pre-trial detention center, where the 66-year-old believer has been held for more than a year and a half.

    Initially, the court dismissed the request for Yuriy's release. Although the current preventive measure expires only on July 22, the detention of the believer is extended for another three months, that is, until October 22, 2020.

    The court allows three listeners to be present in the hall, but only in masks and with social distance.

    The court continues to examine the written evidence in the case. The protocols of the searches are read out, as well as a detailed transcript of conversations about the Bible, prayers and religious songs that are imputed to Savelyev. For about an hour, those present listen to discussions of biblical texts, including examples from the life of Jesus Christ.

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    June 30, 2020

    Five listeners are allowed to attend the meeting of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk in the case of Yuri Savelyev in compliance with anti-epidemic measures. The beginning of the hearing was delayed by 40 minutes due to the delay of the prosecutor.

    The court continues to examine the written evidence of the prosecution: search protocols, transcripts of several religious meetings of believers, including lyrics of songs and prayers, are read out.

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    July 10, 2020

    The Novosibirsk Regional Court rejected the appeals against Yuriy's detention, leaving him in a pre-trial detention center until October 22, 2020.

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    August 12, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    In the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk, the study of written evidence in the case by the prosecution continues. In the course of the study of the materials, the judge reads out the protocols of the examination of objects, one of which contains a transcript of a meeting of the congregation of believers, where issues related to love for one's neighbor were discussed, the importance of forgiveness and mercy was discussed. The defense draws the court's attention to the absence of any manifestation of extremism in the actions of both the defendant himself and in the actions of other attendees and in the meeting itself.

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    August 13, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The witness is being interrogated by L. Timshina via video-conferencing. The lawyer draws attention to the circumstances of the investigative actions - a search in her home and subsequent interrogation at night. The witness explains that at about 11:00 p.m., officers of the Investigative Committee and the police came to her work, picked her up from work and took her to her home, where a search was carried out, which lasted until 1 a.m., after which she was taken to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where she was interrogated, the interrogation continued until about 5 a.m. The witness reports that she was under extreme stress, was frightened, and had difficulty understanding what she was signing, including her testimony. The witness says that the liturgical literature she read encouraged her to show love and respect for people, to respect authority, to be honest and law-abiding. She also explains how she began attending meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses, emphasizing that she did so voluntarily, of her own free will, without coercion. She does not know what the Zarechnaya Novosibirsk MRO of Jehovah's Witnesses is. The witness gives a positive description of the accused Savelyev and confirms that she has never heard from him statements that incite hatred or enmity towards other people, or statements against state power. She never noticed any manifestations of extremism behind him.

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    August 26, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The interrogation of specialist Zaev once again does not take place due to the fact that he forgets about the meeting. Also, the prosecutor's office again does not ensure the interrogation of a secret witness. The prosecutor explains this by saying that another member of the prosecutor's office is responsible for questioning the secret witness, but he is on leave. The court completes the examination of the written materials of the criminal case.

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    September 9, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The Eighth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction of Kemerovo cancels the decision of the court of first instance and the appeal decision of the Novosibirsk Regional Court on the extension of Yuri Savelyev's detention until April 22, 2020. Savelyev is still in custody, which was extended until October 22, 2020.

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    September 15, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The hearing of the case continues in the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk, chaired by Judge Ekaterina Kashina.

    The state prosecutor postpones the planned interrogation of a secret witness under the pseudonym Natalia Ivanova. The judge points out that September 16, 2020 is the deadline for questioning a secret witness. The state prosecutor declares that he will provide information about the readiness of "Ivanova" at the next meeting.

    In connection with the cassation decision of September 9 on the illegality of the penultimate imposition of a preventive measure in the form of Savelyev's detention, the lawyer submits a motion to change the measure of restraint from the pre-trial detention center to a milder one. Judge Ekaterina Kashina refuses. At the moment, the 66-year-old believer has been behind bars for 677 days.

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    September 16, 2020 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The state prosecution again failed to ensure the appearance in court of an anonymous witness whose name, face and voice were unreasonably classified, which violates the believer's right to full defense. Judge Kashina issues a private ruling against the prosecutor in connection with the abuse of procedural rights and the delay in the consideration of the case. However, at the same time, the judge satisfies the request of the state prosecutor to read out the testimony of an anonymous witness from the case file. The defendant and his lawyer object, since the testimony of the secret witness "Ivanova", given at the preliminary investigation, is the main evidence of the prosecution, and Yuri Savelyev cannot even ask this witness any clarifying questions. All this grossly violates his right to a fair trial. The defense challenges Judge Ekaterina Kashina. The judge rejects the challenge and accepts the written testimony of the classified witness.

    After the break, the court interrogates the "specialist" Oleg Zaev via conference call. He speaks on behalf of the anti-cultist center by proxy signed by Alexander Dvorkin. The defense draws attention to the fact that Zaev does not have a special education, but at the same time he was a teacher of the discipline "sectology" at the Novosibirsk St. Makariev's Orthodox Theological Institute (the institute closed in 2019). The specialist does not hide the fact that he professes Orthodoxy, treats Jehovah's Witnesses deliberately negatively, considering them a priori dangerous for the Russian constitutional system and state power.

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    October 16, 2020
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    December 9, 2020

    During the debate in the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk, the prosecutor requests for Yuri Savelyev, who has been in jail for the third year, a sentence of 8 years in a colony.

    The believer, addressing the court with the last word, declares that he is being judged for believing in God.

    "Today is the time to fight for our right to practice our religion and worship our God. This right is given to me by Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. And this right is not considered by the state as a prohibited activity," Savelyev stressed.

    He called the charges trumped up and called himself a victim. "I have been in prison for two years, I lost my health, I lost my property, my reputation suffered, and now I bear the shameful stigma of a 'criminal,'" the believer said.

    According to Yuriy, he "has no enemies." "For my 66 years, I have never been brought to administrative or criminal responsibility. I am against any form of violence: whether verbal, psychological or physical. For 40 years of work experience, he was repeatedly awarded prizes, diplomas, was on the honor board of the workshop and the plant. I have positive references from relatives, neighbors and friends."

    Although he is accused of lack of social ties, during his imprisonment in the pre-trial detention center he has already received about 11,000 letters from relatives, friends and acquaintances.

    Yuriy Savelyev tells the judge about his religious beliefs, emphasizes that he poses no threat to either the state or society, resolutely rejects accusations of extremism and expresses hope for an acquittal.

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    December 16, 2020 First Instance Sentence

    Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk Ekaterina Kashina sentences Yuri Savelyev to 6 years in a general regime colony. The believer intends to appeal the verdict.

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    March 10, 2021

    The Eighth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Kemerovo satisfies the last of 4 cassation appeals of Yuriy Savelyev's defense to extend the period of his detention while the case is being considered by the court of first instance. Thus, Savelyev's detention from 22.10.2019 to 16.12.2020 is recognized as illegal.

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    April 5, 2021 Court of Appeal

    The Novosibirsk Regional Court upholds the verdict against Yuri Savelyev.

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    May 28, 2021 Life in prison

    Yuriy Savelyev was transferred from SIZO-1 in the Altai Territory (Barnaul) to Correctional Colony No. 5 in the Altai Territory (Rubtsovsk) to serve his sentence.

    It is not possible to write letters to this colony through the Federal Penitentiary Service, but it is possible to write letters to Yuri through the Zonatelecom service.

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    July 21, 2021

    Deputy Prosecutor of the Novosibirsk Region M. I. Askerov submits a submission against the appeal decision of the Novosibirsk Regional Court dated 05.04.2021. He asks to return to the sentence an additional punishment, which was canceled by the appellate court.

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    August 2021 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Yuriy Savelyev in the colony. The believer says that during his time in prison he has already received more than 15,000 letters of support.

    Yuriy has no critical health problems, but he is worried about back pain.

    Yuriy was allowed to borrow a Bible from the colony's library, but his glasses for permanent wear broke.

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    August 24, 2021 Life in prison

    Early in the morning, Yuriy Savelyev is notified of his transfer to Barnaul, 295 km away, to medical correctional facility No. 1, specializing in "the treatment of convicts with alcoholism and drug addiction." He is informed that this is still for six months.

    As it became known, in early August, Yuri was summoned several times by the acting head of colony No. 5, Pyotr Safonov, and offered to sign a blank consent form for treatment. Yuri refused, citing the fact that nothing bothered him. He also drew attention to the fact that the document did not contain the conclusion of the doctor of the medical unit on the need for treatment. Savelyev was asked to sign the form, indicating his disagreement in it, which he did.

    During the conversation, the chief mentioned that the believer receives "too many letters, in connection with which the colony staff has much more work."

    On August 24, at about noon, Yuri Savelyev was transferred to the Medical Correctional Institution No. 1 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Altai Territory. According to him, the reception was accompanied by rude statements. They took away from the believer a thick notebook with personal notes, a large stack of letters, which he was handed upon his departure from IK-5. Documents and things, including the Bible, were thrown into one bag after checking. He hopes that all this will be returned to him after the quarantine that he takes place in a cell with 12 other prisoners.

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    September 1, 2021 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Yuriy Savelyev at a new place, in LIU-1. The believer feels good. He tells how he manages to cope with all the difficulties and injustices: "Thanks to frequent sincere prayers to Jehovah God, I feel his support. In addition, reading the letters of fellow believers, in which there are many interesting encouraging thoughts and news, I seem to be immersed in another world. Then time flies much faster, and I have no time to think about sad things. During the years of imprisonment, Yuri has already received more than 16,000 letters from 80 countries of the world.

    At the new place, Savelyev has a calm relationship with the prisoners. Yuri is glad that now, while walking, he can admire the beauty of the sky "not in a cell".

    In a conversation with a lawyer, the head of LIU-1 and the doctor of the medical unit claim that they do not carry out compulsory treatment, and Savelyev's rights will not be violated. The lawyer draws attention to the fact that Yuriy is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and therefore does not suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction and does not need treatment.

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    September 7, 2021 Life in prison

    At the end of quarantine, Yuriy Savelyev is transferred to the narcological department. The conditions of detention there are good, Yuriy feels good physically and emotionally.

    The head of the operational department, Dmitry Popov, summons Savelyev and returns to him the documents and the Bible previously seized from him. However, he is not given a notebook, where he entered important information for himself for three years.

    Yuri receives a parcel with warm clothes, and he is also given new glasses and letters.

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    September 9, 2021 Life in prison

    The doctor calls Yuri to discuss treatment and medical procedures. On the table, the believer notices a copy of the form "Consent to treatment", which he was given to sign in IK-5 of Rubtsovsk, and he expressed his disagreement in it. Savelyev is struck by two worn spots in front of the word "agree" and his signature. The doctor asks if Yuri is ready for treatment. He categorically refuses, explaining that he does not suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism. Regarding the situation, the doctor consults with the deputy head of the medical unit, Yevgeny Evdokimov, who orders nothing to do and send Yuri back to the department.

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    September 10, 2021 Life in prison

    The head of the operational department, Popov, notifies Yuriy that compulsory treatment will not be prescribed to the believer.

    The lawyer visits Savelyev. He says that above the believer's bed were hung photos of him with the caption "prone to extremism."

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    September 14, 2021 Life in prison

    The lawyer reports that Yuri has a cold, but has not yet sought medical help.

    About his mood and emotional state, Yuri says that it is "on top". He has good relations with convicts and employees of the institution.

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    September 16, 2021 Life in prison

    Yuriy Savelyev is transferred from LIU-1 back to Correctional Colony No. 5 in Rubtsovsk.

    An FSB officer comes to the believer in the colony and asks about his views on life and plans for the future.

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    September 24, 2021 Life in prison

    Employees of IK-5 again offer Yuri to sign a document on consent to treatment in LIU-1 in Barnaul. Of the number of requests and appeals submitted by the lawyer in connection with the transfer of Savelyev to LIU-1, at the moment the answer has been received only from the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Altai Territory. It says that according to the results of the examination on August 18, 2021, Savelyev was allegedly diagnosed with a preliminary diagnosis: "harmful use of alcohol." This "diagnosis" is not true and is not based on anything.

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    October 12, 2021 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Yuriy in the colony. Savelyev talks about how he was transported from the medical correctional facility: "We were loaded into a paddy wagon. On the way, we stopped at a tuberculosis hospital, from where other prisoners were taken. We drove, got acquainted: who is who and for what is imprisoned. When I told him why I was in prison, one of my fellow travelers literally jumped up from his seat and began to shake my hand. He said that he was glad to meet Jehovah's Witness in person, that he had read a lot about the Witnesses and dreamed of talking to them. The man said that, despite a lot of negative information, he is always on our side. All the way, 8 hours, from Barnaul to Rubtsovsk, he asked me questions about faith.

    The lawyer says that Yuriy feels good both physically and emotionally. And although the conditions of detention in LIU-1 were much better than in the colony, the believer refused to undergo any treatment, as well as psychological and psychiatric training.

    It also becomes known that for more than 4 months Savelyev could not call his relatives due to the lack of a payphone card "Zonatelecom". This problem has now been resolved.

    So far, the believer has already received 16,252 letters of support from 83 countries. He is sensitive to each letter and tries to answer many of them.

    Because of his age, strong faith and decency, Yuriy won the respect of prisoners and colony staff. In the detachment, which has at least 50 people, Savelyev was put first in the ranks, and in the dining room they do not begin to distribute food without him.

    On November 24, it is planned to consider the case of Savelyev's early release in the Eighth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Kemerovo. The believer does not lose hope for early release. His prison term ends in August 2023.

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    November 24, 2021

    The Eighth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction (located in Kemerovo), composed of E. V. Starchikova, E. V. Volkova and O. V. Plastinina, considers the complaint of the prosecutor and returns the criminal case for a new appeal hearing. Thus, the sentence is now considered not to have entered into force.

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    November 30, 2021 Court of Cassation
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    December 17, 2021

    Yuriy Savelyev's case is being submitted to the Novosibirsk Regional Court for a new appeal.

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    December 28, 2021 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Savelyev in Correctional Colony No. 5 in the town of Rubtsovsk. The prisoners treat him with respect and call him by his first name and patronymic: Yuri Prokopievich. Some are interested in his religious views.

    During his imprisonment, the believer has already received more than 17,000 letters. Some cellmates ask them to read them. The prisoners are impressed by the warmth and love with which they are written. Yuriy writes from 3 to 10 response letters per day.

    Living conditions in the colony have deteriorated: the water in the shower flows in a thin stream. In such conditions, prisoners do not have time to wash themselves in the allotted time. Yuriy also says that the food in the dining room does not correspond to the stated menu. Because of the conversations and noise, it is impossible to get enough sleep at night, so during the day he feels tired and overwhelmed. Yuriy rarely goes for walks, as many people smoke there. Like other prisoners, Yuriy had a respiratory illness.

    Despite the difficulties, Yuriy Savelyev maintains a positive attitude.

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    January 10, 2022 Court of Appeal

    The appellate hearing scheduled for January 10, 2022 in the Savelyev case is presumably postponed to early February. Yuriy is planned to be transferred from the Rubtsovsk correctional colony No. 5 to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in the city of Barnaul, and then transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Novosibirsk.

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    January 11, 2022 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Yuriy Savelyev in Barnaul Detention Center No. 1, where the believer is awaiting transfer to Novosibirsk. Unlike the last trip, when he was transported in a crowded car, this time there were only two people in the compartment: Yuri and another prisoner, and no one smoked in the car. The fact that Yuri was being taken to Barnaul, he learned only on the train.

    Upon arrival at the pre-trial detention center, the reception of prisoners was delayed until 5 o'clock in the morning. All this time, Savelyev stayed in a cold, damp and dirty basement, where there was no opportunity to rest.

    Yuri and several other prisoners are placed in a warm, bright cell intended for transit convicts.

    Savelyev feels good, chronic diseases do not bother him.

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    January 17, 2022

    Yuriy Savelyev is taken to SIZO-1 in Novosibirsk. He can receive letters again

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    February 7, 2022 Court of Appeal

    The Novosibirsk Regional Court upholds the verdict of the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk - 6 years in a general regime colony, 1 year of restriction of freedom, a ban on engaging in activities related to leadership and participation in public and religious organizations for a period of 3 years.

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    March 10, 2022 Life in prison

    It becomes known that Yuri Savelyev left the pre-trial detention center in Novosibirsk. He is transferred to a colony to serve the remainder of his sentence for his faith.

    Yuri Savelyev from the Novosibirsk pre-trial detention center is transferred back to correctional colony No. 5 in the city of Rubtsovsk to serve the rest of his sentence.

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    July 7, 2022 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Yuriy Savelyev in IK-5 in Rubtsovsk (Altai Territory). It turns out that in the process of being transferred to the colony, the believer was sent to the punishment cell for six days without explanation as a "violator". Yuriy manages to maintain a positive attitude, despite the difficulties that arise.

    Savelyev consistently receives letters of support. As he reports, their number reached 18215. Yuriy is especially encouraged by letters from those who have also been prosecuted for their faith, visited a pre-trial detention center or served their sentences. So, Valentina Baranovskaya supports the believer with her letters.

    The believer also informs the lawyer that a new plaque has been attached to the headboard of his bed, on which, in addition to his full name and the article for which he is convicted, it is written in rather large letters: "Inclined to study and spread extremist ideology." He explains that he is still on the preventive register as "prone to extremism." But, according to him, everyone in the detachment is already well aware that his peace-loving views have nothing to do with extremism.

    A new trial of the case of Yuri Savelyev in the Eighth Court of Cassation in Kemerovo is scheduled for August 10.

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    August 10, 2022
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    September 8, 2022 Life in prison

    Yuriy Savelyev is summoned to the disciplinary commission, where he is informed that he is recognized as a "malicious violator of the regime." The reason is violations of internal regulations (he did not keep his hands behind his back when, in the opinion of the commission, he should have done so; he did not introduce himself in the form established in the colony; he did not sew a badge that was not issued to him; before going to bed, he took off his jacket 10 minutes ahead of schedule; violated the uniform in the daytime). The Commission extends Savelyev's detention in a punishment cell for 14 days, after which he must be transferred to strict conditions of serving his sentence (SUS).

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    September 22, 2022 Life in prison

    Yuriy is transferred to the SUS, where 50 prisoners are kept. According to him, order and discipline reign here, living conditions are good, and the premises have recently been renovated. The prisoners treat Yuri with respect.

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    November 24, 2022 Life in prison

    By the decision of the commission, Yuriy Savelyev was transferred from strict conditions of detention for 2 months to even stricter ones - to the PKT (chamber-type room). "This is a gloomy cell with a small window under the ceiling, the prisoners call it a punishment cell," says the believer. The cell is cold, but when a neighbor is moved to Savelyev, they close up all the cracks and it becomes warmer. Yuri is now allowed to walk only 1 hour a day in a small courtyard.

    Savelyev reports that he received a response from the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Tatyana Moskalkova, to his appeal in connection with the violation of his rights and the imposition of illegal penalties: according to the results of the inspection of the Rubtsovsk prosecutor's office, it was revealed that "there were no violations on the part of the administration of the colony in relation to Yuri."

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    December 16, 2022 Life in prison

    The lawyer visits Yuriy in the colony. The believer reports that he submitted an application to the administration to be allowed telephone conversations with his relatives, but was refused.

    Optimism helps Savelyev cope with numerous difficulties. He says: "I try to focus on the positive, I pray a lot to Jehovah, I sing songs, I read letters, I answer them." To date, the believer has already received 19,221 letters from all over the world (an average of 392 letters per month).

    Seeing that Yuriy communicates with everyone in the colony tactfully and politely, some employees and prisoners are imbued with great respect for him and are perplexed: "Yuri Prokopievich, in general, why are you sitting here?"

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    May 29, 2023 Life in prison Strict conditions of detention Medical treatment within the Federal Penitentiary Service Letters Elderly

    Yuriy is still in strict conditions of detention. Despite this, his emotional state is good, he is looking forward to his imminent release. The believer has the opportunity to walk for two hours a day in the courtyard with a length of about 100 meters.

    In the spring, Yuri had a severe form of pneumonia. He was placed in a hospital isolated from the rest of the prisoners because of the article under which he was convicted. Now the believer feels good, he has no complications.

    Yuriy receives letters regularly, every day he writes answers. During the entire period of detention, he received 19781 letters.

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    July 19, 2023 Release from penal colony Elderly Strict conditions of detention Forced hospitalization

    Penal colony No. 5 in the Altai Territory (23 Traktornaya Street, Rubtsovsk, Altai Territory).