Case of Popov in Kovrov

Investigator for particularly important cases of the Investigative Department for the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Vladimir Region Y. N. Nikulin initiates a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organization) against 36-year-old Alexander Popov.

At about 10 o'clock in the morning, 2 FSB officers come to work for Alexander Popov and take him to the Investigative Committee. On the way, his smartphone is seized. The believer refuses to be interrogated "without a protocol" and is taken home for a search. There, electronic devices and personal records are seized from him. Then Aleksandr is again taken to the Investigative Committee for interrogation, which takes place in the presence of a lawyer. He is charged and fingerprinted. After that, the believer is sent to a temporary detention center in Vladimir. On the same day, a search takes place at the home of Alexander's elderly parents.

The Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region places Aleksandr Popov under house arrest.

The judge of the Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region, Artem Ozhev, decides to replace the measure of restraint in the form of house arrest for Alexander Popov with a ban on certain actions for a period of 1 month and 6 days until January 21, 2024. Now a believer can leave his apartment during the daytime for several hours, but he does not have the right to use means of communication, including the Internet, to see witnesses in the case, and also to receive correspondence through the postal service.

At 7 a.m., the security forces come to search the house where Aleksandr Popov's relatives live. The event is led by the investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Captain Y. N. Nikulin and the operative of the Federal Security Service K. N. Bidnik.

It turns out that the search is taking place on the basis of a court order, which was issued on December 15, 2023. The security forces seized personal notes on paper from Popov's cousin Maria Ovsyannikova. After about 2 hours, she is taken away for interrogation. On the same day, her mother and sister are interrogated.

Investigator of the Investigative Committee A. L. Zhokin attracts Aleksandr Popov as a defendant in a criminal case, charging him with participation in the activities of an extremist organization.

The indictment states, among other things, that the believer "within the limits of strict regulations and the time allotted for speaking or studying a religious topic, personally read religious texts to those present." According to the investigation, "officers of the FSB of Russia suppressed the criminal actions committed by Popov, namely, the dissemination in society of information related to biblical truths and prophecies, as well as explaining the Bible and touching on scientific, social, historical and other topics."

Deputy Kovrov City Prosecutor, Counselor of Justice Roman Bryukhanov approves the indictment against Aleksandr Popov.

The case materials are transferred to the Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region. Popov's case will be considered by Judge Maria Maslova.