Photo: Invasion of Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea (March 2019)

Criminal trial

FSB declared a resident of Yalta an extremist for his beliefs

Crimea

On March 26, 2019, FSB investigator S. Bosiyev charged Artem Gerasimov, who was detained for interrogation during searches in 8 houses of believers in Alupka, Gurzuf and Yalta (Crimea), with organizing extremist activities (part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). After interrogation, he was released.

According to the investigator's ruling, Artem Gerasimov's guilt lies in the fact that he held meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses, "realizing the public danger" of this. Gerasimov is also accused of "getting acquainted with literature" containing statements "degrading human dignity on the basis of attitude to religion." The investigator did not give any explanations or specific examples.

It is noteworthy that during the hearings of the case on the ban of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and another 395 local organizations of believers, not a single fact was heard proving that the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses inspired any real crimes. Human rights activists and other members of the public consider Jehovah's Witnesses to be a peaceful religion, which is alien to the ideas of enmity and hatred on any grounds.

After the ban on Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in Russia, including Crimea, persecution of believers began, despite the Russian government's explanation that the ban should apply only to legal entities and should not restrict the right of believers to practice this religion. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed bewilderment at the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Case of Gerasimov in Yalta

Case History
In March 2019, Artyom Gerasimov, a cook by profession, was accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. So the investigation called the peaceful conversations of the believer on religious topics and reading the Bible in a close circle, seeing in this a “public danger.” The apartments of Gerasimov and other believers were searched. A year later, the Yalta City Court sentenced him to a fine of 400 thousand rubles, but on June 4, 2020, the Supreme Court of Crimea toughened the sentence, replacing the fine with 6 years in prison. After Artyom was sent to the colony, the FSB officers began to “develop” his friends and acquaintances.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Crimea
Locality:
Yalta
Suspected of:
according to the investigation, together with others he conducted religious services, which is interpreted as organising the activity of an extremist organisation (with reference to the decision of the Russian Supreme Court on the liquidation of all 396 registered organisations of Jehovah’s Witnesses)
Court case number:
11907350001000041
Initiated:
March 15, 2019
Current case stage:
The verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the Directorate of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia for the Republic of Crimea
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-17/2020 (1-376/2019)
Court:
Ялтинский городской суд Республики Крым
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Владимир Романенко
Case History