Unjust Verdicts

An Appeal in Krasnodar Upheld the Sentence to Maksim Beltikov for His Faith

Krasnodar Territory

On September 19, 2022, a panel of judges of the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld the sentence of Maksim Beltikov — 2 years in a general regime colony for believing in Jehovah God.

The court of first instance delivered its verdict in the Beltikov case on January 17, 2022. The believer was immediately taken into custody. Since that day, he has been behind bars, separated from his wife and three minor children. Maksim Beltikov maintains his innocence and can appeal the verdict on cassation.

The criminal prosecution of the believer began in the spring of 2020, when FSB officers searched the homes of many Jehovah's Witnesses in the Krasnodar Territory. Among them were Alexander Ivshin, Oleg Danilov, Alexander Shcherbina, Vladimir Skachidub andLyudmila Shchekoldina — the courts sentenced them to imprisonment in a colony for terms ranging from 2 to 7.5 years.

Beltikov's accusation of extremism was based on audio recordings of his conversations about the Bible with the infiltrated intelligence agent Ilchenko. He was also a key witness for the prosecution in the case of Lyudmila Shchekoldina. Beltikov's accusation of extremism was based on audio recordings of his conversations about the Bible with the infiltrated agent Ilchenko. He was also a key witness for the prosecution in the case of Lyudmila Shchekoldina.

Russian courts interpret the very fact that Jehovah's Witnesses hold worship services as extremist activity. However, the Government of the Russian Federation has repeatedly stated that the courts did not prohibit the followers of this religion from singing songs, praying together and discussing the Bible - all of these are ways of practicing religion, protected by both Russian and international law. Russian courts interpret the very fact that Jehovah's Witnesses hold religious services as extremist activity. However, the Government of the Russian Federation has repeatedly stated that the courts did not prohibit the followers of this religion from singing songs, praying together and discussing the Bible - all these are ways of practicing religion, protected by both Russian and international law.

The case of Beltikov in Pavlovskaya

Case History
Maksim Beltikov, a labor protection specialist, an exemplary family man, father of three children, was accused of extremism. In April 2020, the believer’s home was searched, and in June, FSB investigator Lieutenant M. Loi opened a criminal case against the man on suspicion of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. The investigation considered that the believer, “aware of the criminal nature and public danger of his actions,” exercised “the role of a preacher.” Maksim was placed on recognizance not to leave. In January 2021, the trial began. During the proceedings, it was revealed that the transcript of Beltikov’s conversation with the main prosecution witness Ilchenko was falsified. In January 2022, the court found Beltikov guilty and sentenced him to 2 years in a general regime colony with restriction of freedom for 1 year. The appellate court upheld the verdict. In August 2023, the court extended the restriction of liberty for another 3 years.
Timeline

Persons in case

Beltikov
Maksim

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnodar Territory
Locality:
Pavlovskaya
Suspected of:
"participated in religious teaching and sermons, during which ... conducted and listened to lectures based on religious literature, entered into conversations and religious discussions, participated in collective discussions of the content of religious books" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12007030001000072
Initiated:
June 23, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Krasnodar Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-10/2022 (1-49/2021)
Court:
Pavlovskiy District Court for the Krasnodar Territory
Judge:
Andrey Mynochka
Case History
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