Artyom Bagratyan after his release from the pre-trial detention center in Kursk. June 15, 2021

Artyom Bagratyan after his release from the pre-trial detention center in Kursk. June 15, 2021

Artyom Bagratyan after his release from the pre-trial detention center in Kursk. June 15, 2021

Served Sentences

One of Convicted Jehovah's Witness, Artyom Bagratyan, Was Released After Serving His Entire Sentence for Faith

Kursk Region

On June 15, 2021, Artyom Bagratyan left the pre-trial detention center and was released. About two weeks earlier, the Industrial District Court of Kursk sentenced the the believer to 2.5 years in prison, but Artyom had already served this term while in custody.

The years spent in the pre-trial detention center were a test for Artem: he suffers from serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Every day his blood pressure rose, and his blood sugar level reached 26 units, and he had severe headaches. Being kept in a cold cell with non-closing windows led to a severe cold. In this state, Artem had to repeatedly go to court hearings.

In addition, the courts of the Kursk region do not provide food for the defendants. During lengthy court hearings, Artyom's health deteriorated sharply due to irregular nutrition, so that he had to seek emergency medical help. Nevertheless, judge Oksana Ivanova unreasonably extended the term of the believer's detention in the conditions of the pre-trial detention center that were contraindicated for him. Due to his illness, Artyom needed a special diet, but the only thing that was available to him was buckwheat and kefir in the store of the detention center.

Artem and his lawyer filed at least 15 petitions and appeals to various authorities: human rights organizations, Rospotrebnadzor, the Investigative Committee, the prosecutor's office - with a request to provide qualified medical care. Only after that the believer was placed for treatment in a medical unit.

One day he discovered that the funds from his account were gone, and the parcels from his relatives came opened. The administration deliberately did not give Artyom the Bibles that his friends sent. The believer repeatedly asked the head of the pre-trial detention center to provide him with the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Holy Scriptures, but the requests remained unanswered. Letters from all over the world, of which more than 1000 came, became a great support for Artem.

All the time he was in custody, Artyom could not communicate with his wife, Alevtina, who was prosecuted in the same criminal case as her husband, but received 2 years in prison. She is still under house arrest. Artyom saw Alevtina only during the trials, when they were placed in the same cage. After the release, the Bagratyan family was reunited.

The unfounded accusations of extremism by Russian Jehovah's Witnesses separate loved ones, ruining their fates. Whole families go to jail. Russian human rights activists and the international community demand an end to religious repression in Russia. The unfounded accusations of extremism by Russian Jehovah's Witnesses separate loved ones, ruining their fates. Whole families go to jail. Russian human rights activists and the international community demand an end to to religious repression in Russia.

Case of Andreyev and Others in Kursk

Case History
In October 2019, the FSB initiated a criminal case against Andrey Andreyev, Artem Bagratyan and his wife Alevtina. Andreyev was accused of organizing the activity of an extremist organization, while the others were accused of participating in it. They were placed in a detention center. Later, another believer, Andrey Ryshkov, was arrested. At the end of 2020, Alevtina Bagratyan was transferred to house arrest. Artem Bagratyan suffers from diabetes and other chronic diseases; his condition required inpatient treatment, which he was denied by the management of the detention center. In June 2021, the court sentenced: Andrey Andreyev to 4.5 years in a penal colony, Andrey Ryshkov - 3 years in a penal colony, Artem Bagratyan - 2.5 years in a penal colony and his wife, Alevtina - 2 years in a penal colony. Aleksandr Vospitanyuk was given a 2-year suspended sentence. In January 2022, the court of appeal, and a year later, the court of cassation, upheld this decision. All of the believers have already served their terms.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Kursk Region
Locality:
Kursk
Court case number:
11907380001000031
Initiated:
September 12, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
УФСБ России по Курской области
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-12/2021 (1-410/2020)
Court:
Промышленный районный суд г. Курска
Judge:
Оксана Иванова
Case History