Case of Solovyev in Perm

A man who in the past professed the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, on the instructions of the center "E", having received hidden recording equipment from operatives, conducts a discussion with Solovyov about the Bible.

To initiate a criminal case, Lieutenant Colonel K. Utkin from the center "E" in the Perm Territory sends the received record of discussions for psychological and linguistic examination. It was entrusted to the expert Alexei Mosin from the Bureau of Forensic Examinations, who, among other things, has a diploma of catechist of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Perm Theological Seminary. As expected, the expert finds in Solovyov's words signs of psychological pressure on the interlocutor and, in his opinion, confirmation that Solovyov continued the activities of the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Perm, which was liquidated back in May 2017.

A small group of those who had previously attended meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses, secretly using dictaphones, conduct conversations with Solovyov on religious topics.

A criminal case is being initiated against Alexander Solovyov and unidentified persons on the territory of Perm for participation in an extremist organization. As stated in the resolution, the reason was "participation in the activities of a religious association" after July 17, 2017. On the same day, Aleksandr was detained at the Perm railway station. Throughout the night, searches are carried out in their apartment on the basis of an investigator's order, during which all property documents, electronic devices, storage media, a wi-fi router, photographs, and a collection of Bibles were seized.

Alexander Solovyov has been charged.

Aleksandr Solovyov is placed under house arrest for 2 months. The Sverdlovsk District Court upholds the search conducted on May 22, 2018 in the Solovyovs' apartment as lawful.

The court extends the term of house arrest for another 2 months.

Another extension of house arrest for 2 months.

The measure of restraint has been mitigated, but the prohibition of certain actions remains.

Deputy Prosecutor of the Perm Territory Alexander Deryshov approves the indictment against Solovyov.

Solovyov receives a copy of the indictment. The case should be sent to court. The exact date of the trial is not known.

The Ordzhonikidze District Court of Perm found Solovyov guilty under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and sentenced him to a fine of 300,000 rubles instead of the 3.5 years in prison requested by the prosecutor. The believer plans to appeal the verdict.

The Perm Regional Court upholds the conviction.