Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

After the searches in Sevastopol, four peaceful believers were sent to a detention center for at least two months

Crimea

Updated 10/06/2020

On October 1, 2020, in Sevastopol, security forces searched at least 9 local residents. The next day, the court sent Vladimir Maladyka, Yevgeniy Zhukov, Vladimir Sakada and Igor Schmidt to the pre-trial detention center. A few years ago, law enforcement officers unsuccessfully tried to plant a banned book on believers.

The raid began early in the morning and lasted several hours. During a search of the Maladyka spouses, the investigator found a bag of milk powder in the refrigerator. Stating that the inscriptions on the package resemble the formula of a narcotic drug, the investigator unexpectedly sent the spouses for compulsory examination in a neuropsychiatric dispensary. (Later the examination confirmed that the package contained milk.)

After the searches, the security forces took 5 believers for interrogation to the branch of one of the local law enforcement agencies. In the evening, Natalia Maladyka was released, and Vladimir and three of his fellow believers were sent to a temporary detention center.

The next day, October 2, 2020, the Leninsky District Court of Sevastopol sent 4 believers into custody in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Address: 4 Lenin Blvd., Simferopol, 295006). 50-year-old Yevgeny Zhukov, 57-year-old Vladimir Maladyka and 50-year-old Vladimir Sakada were arrested until November 30, 48-year-old Igor Schmidt - until November 23, 2020. A criminal case was opened against them under the article "organization of the activities of an extremist organization" (part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

At least one of the arrest decisions was made by Judge Viktor Klimakov. He did not heed the arguments of believers that after the liquidation of the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, they did not take part in it, and the FSB accuses them of ordinary religion.

Criminal prosecution for belief in Jehovah has been going on against the residents of Sevastopol for more than a year. Sevastopol resident Viktor Stashevskiy defends his beliefs in court. The 10-minute film tells about how the persecution cripples the lives of innocent Crimean citizens.

Case of Zhukov and Others in Sevastopol

Case History
In October 2020, security forces conducted searches of believers in Sevastopol. The day before, the FSB initiated a criminal case against Vladimir Maladyka, Yevgeniy Zhukov and Vladimir Sakada. They were accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization only because of their faith in Jehovah God. The charges were based on video recordings of four worship services of Jehovah’s Witnesses made by FSB agents. The believers spent a day in a temporary detention facility, then the court sent them to a pre-trial detention center. In April 2021, the case went to trial. During the hearings, FSB officer Dmitriy Shevchenko, who conducted surveillance of the believers, stated that no signs of extremism or facts of inciting religious hatred were identified in their actions. During the investigation and trial each men spent more than a year and four months in a pre-trial detention center and more than eight months under house arrest. In October 2022, the court sentenced them to six years in prison in a general regime colony. The appeal upheld this decision a year later, and in December 2024, the verdict was finally confirmed by the court of cassation.
Timeline

Persons in case

Maladyka
Vladimir
Sakada
Vladimir
Zhukov
Yevgeniy

Criminal case

Region:
Crimea
Locality:
Sevastopol
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, "they supervised liturgical meetings, familiarizing people with the Holy Scriptures, performing works of mercy ... dissemination of information in society affecting scientific, social, historical topics" (from the decision to bring as an accused)
Court case number:
12007350001670043
Initiated:
October 1, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-13/2022 (1-228/2021)
Court:
Nakhimovskiy District Court of the City of Sevastopol
Judge:
Olga Berdnikova
Case History

Case of Shmidt in Sevastopol

Case History
In October 2020, security forces searched the homes of local believers in Sevastopol. The next day, the court sent four of them, including Igor Schmidt, to the pre-trial detention center. He was accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization only because of his faith. Schmidt spent six months in a pre-trial detention center, after which he was transferred to house arrest. In April 2021, the judge of the Gagarinsky District Court of the city of Sevastopol, Lyudmila Tumaykina, began consideration of the case. The prosecutor requested 7 years in a general regime colony for Igor Schmidt. In October 2021, the court sentenced him to 6 years in prison, and in January 2022, the appeal upheld this decision. The believer is serving time in a colony.
Timeline

Persons in case

Shmidt
Igor

Criminal case

Region:
Crimea
Locality:
Sevastopol
Court case number:
12007350001670042
Initiated:
September 24, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-288/2021
Court:
Gagarinskiy District Court of the City of Sevastopol
Judge:
Lyudmila Tumaykina
Case History
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