Case of Skachidub in Pavlovskaya

As part of the criminal case against Lyudmila Shchekoldina , Vladimir Skachidub's home is searched and interrogated.

Lieutenant of Justice Vitaliy Veter, investigator of the 2nd branch of the Krasnodar Territory Directorate of the FSB of Russia, initiates a criminal case against Vladimir Skachidub under Part 2 of Article 282. 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a banned extremist organization).

Vladimir Skachidub is being prosecuted. The ruling states that he, "participated ... in a religious educational event - a sermon lesson, exercising the role of a preacher ... spread the ideology of the LRO Jehovah's Witnesses."

Investigator Vitaliy Veter interrogates Vladimir Skachidub. A written undertaking not to leave and proper behavior is taken from him.

Referee: Olga Marchenko. Pavlovsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory (Pavlovskaya Station, Lenin Street, 23). The first hearing in the case of Vladimir Skachidub is underway. The believer is charged immediately under 2 articles of the Criminal Code: participation in the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and involvement of others in the activities of an extremist organization (part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The measure of restraint for him remains unchanged - he is under recognizance not to leave and proper behavior.

Vladimir Skachidub during the court session expresses his attitude to the charges. He notes: "The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation made it clear that its decision of April 20, 2017 does not prohibit the constitutional rights of citizens, including mine. [...] I am a Jehovah's Witness and am prosecuted solely for my peaceful religious activities. [...] It follows from the charges that I face imprisonment just because I exercised my right to profess religion." The believer expresses confidence: "For the court, the striking difference between Christian peaceful service to God, which I am determined to carry out all my life, and extremism, which is completely alien to me, will be obvious."

Audio recordings of Vladimir Skachidub's conversations about the Bible with one of the interlocutors are listened to. They talk about love for parents, for wife, for Jesus Christ. On the recording, Vladimir can be heard emphasizing: Jehovah's Witnesses do not force anyone to follow biblical standards.

The defendant testifies. He notes that he is accused of peacefully studying the Bible with a local resident, although this does not contradict Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Vladimir explains that he did not force him to do anything, did not call for extremist activities and did not involve him in the LRO. The believer adds: "I understand when cannabis or poppy seeds are seized from a drug addict. He prepares a drug from them, although there are also useful substances in these plants. But what kind of 'drug' is found in the Holy Scriptures in the New World Translation?" One of the editions of this translation, published by Jehovah's Witnesses, was banned for distribution in Russia.

During the debate, prosecutor Volkov requested a sentence of 4 years and 6 months in a general regime colony for Vladimir Skachidub for reading and discussing the Bible.

The believer's lawyer lists the actions that the law associates with extremism and shows that the defendant did not commit them.

Another lawyer, referring to the statements of the President of the Russian Federation and prominent political figures, reminds the court of the groundlessness of the criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Judge Olga Marchenko sentences Vladimir Skachidub to 4 years and 2 months in a penal colony. The believer is taken into custody in the courtroom and placed in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Krasnodar, where he will await an appeal against the verdict.

The lawyer visits Vladimir Skachidub in SIZO-1 in Krasnodar. The believer is currently being held alone in a double cell. To maintain his physical and emotional health, he regularly goes for walks and does exercises.

Vladimir has a Bible. He receives letters of support not only from Russia, but also from England, Germany, the USA and other countries. He receives more correspondence in one day than all prisoners in a week.

At the request of the believer, he was given the necessary medicines, which he takes due to chronic diseases. In the pre-trial detention center, he is respected by both convicts and employees. The prisoners warmly address him as "Uncle Vova".