Case of Semenov in Cherkessk

Case History

The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Yevgeniy Semenov under three articles: organizing the activities of an extremist organization, participation in it and involving other persons in this activity. At the end of August 2023, by a court decision, the believer was placed in a pre-trial detention center. In May 2024, the case went to court.

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    June 20, 2023 Search

    An investigator of the Investigative Committee and law enforcement officers are conducting a search in the apartment of Yevgeniy Semenov. Electronic devices are seized from him.

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    August 31, 2023 Detention center

    The court chooses a preventive measure for Semenov in the form of detention. He is placed in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Cherkessk.

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    September 20, 2023 Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1)

    The Investigative Committee reports that a criminal case has been opened against Semenov on suspicion of organizing the activities of an extremist organization (part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

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    April 12, 2024 Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1.1) Art. 282.2 (2)

    It becomes known that two more cases were opened against Semyonov - for 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 other persons in this activity (part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). All three cases have been merged into one proceeding.

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    May 7, 2024 Case went to court

    The case goes to the Cherkessk City Court of the KChR. It will be considered by judge Azamat Kubov.

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    July 19, 2024 Rosfinmonitoring

    Yevgeniy Semenov is included in the list of extremists of Rosfinmonitoring.

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    September 13, 2024 Detention center Letters

    Yevgeniy is alone in the cell. The attitude towards him on the part of the administration of the pre-trial detention center is good.

    In August, the believer suffered a cold. He suffers from allergies and does not have the opportunity to take the necessary medications.

    Semyonov has the Bible in the Synodal translation. He can receive letters.

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    October 5, 2024 Hearing in a court of the first instance

    12 listeners are allowed into the courtroom. Yevgeniy Semenov petitions for the refusal of a lawyer, he intends to defend himself on his own. The judge grants the defendant's request.

    The prosecutor announces the indictment. The defendant expresses his attitude to the charges. He refers to the Supreme Court decision of 20 April 2017 and stresses that the court did not evaluate the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yevgeniy Semenov also refers to Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on freedom of religion and says that the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia is not prohibited. The text of the attitude shall be attached to the materials of the criminal case.

    Judge Azamat Kubov grants the defendant's motion to summon witnesses to the court for questioning.