Unjust Verdicts

In Primorye, the Verdict Against Anton Virich for Faith Entered into Force. The Court of Appeal Reduced the Sentence to 6 Years in a Penal Colony

Primorye Territory

On August 1, 2024, the judicial chamber of the Primorye Territorial Court upheld the guilty verdict against Anton Virich for organizing the activity of an extremist organization but reduced the term by 2 months. According to the defense, the decisions of the courts erroneously equate the peaceful practice of faith to unlawful activity.

During the proceedings in the court of first instance, it was found that four expert conclusions were drawn up in violation of the law. They do not contain documents on the education of the experts and do not indicate the religious research methods they used. Because of this, it is impossible to check to what extent their conclusions are reasonable and reliable. In addition, as the believer's lawyer noted in his appeal, the court was unable to prove the motives of religious hatred and enmity that Virich was allegedly guided by.

In July 2023, Anton Virich was detained by traffic police, from whom he learned that he had been on the wanted list and under a recognizance agreement for some time. After that, Virich was taken to the village of Luchegorsk, where he was formally charged. From that time until the sentencing, he was in pretrial detention.

At the time of publication of this news, 58 Jehovah's Witnesses have faced criminal prosecution for their faith in the Primorye Territory, more than in any other region of the Russian Federation.

The Case of Virich in Luchegorsk

Case History
In July 2023, Anton Virich’s car was stopped by traffic police in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Then he learned that back in 2021 he was made a defendant in a criminal case for organizing the activity of an extremist organization and was put on the wanted list. He was detained and subsequently moved several times to pretrial detention centers in different cities. In October 2023, the case was submitted to the Pozharsky District Court of the Primorye Territory in Luchegorsk. In April 2024, the believer was sentenced to 6 years and 2 months in a penal colony. The court of appeal reduced this period by 2 months.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Primorye Territory
Locality:
Luchegorsk
Court case number:
42202050012000010
Initiated:
February 11, 2022
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-37/2024 (1-217/2023)
Court of First Instance:
Пожарский районный суд Приморского края
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Вера Новоградская
Case History