Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

In the Kovrov District of the Vladimir Region, Raids of Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses Resumed. A Criminal Case has Been Initiated

Vladimir Region

On August 23, 2023, searches were carried out at two addresses in the city of Kovrov, as well as at one address in the village of Melekhovo. Law enforcement officers detained Aleksandr Popov, 36, and Mikhail Sveshnikov, 53; later they were placed under house arrest.

A criminal case against Sveshnikov had been initiated a day earlier by Yu. Nikulin from the Investigative Department for Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Vladimir Region. In his opinion, Mikhail "took part in religious meetings" and "spoke at them", which law enforcement officers groundlessly equate to participating in the activity of a liquidated legal entity of Jehovah's Witnesses (Article 282.2(2) of the RF CrC).

It is still unknown in connection with which case investigative measures against Popov were carried out.

In the Vladimir Region, three more believers are facing criminal prosecution. Two of them have already been sentenced to prison terms, which the court considered being served during the investigation. The case of another believer is in the final stages of judicial investigation.

Russian and foreign state, political and public organizations condemn the repression of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Russian Federation.

The Case of Sveshnikov in Kovrov

Case History
In August 2023, the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case, in which Mikhail Sveshnikov, father of four, became a defendant. After the search, he spent 24 hours in a temporary detention facility, almost 4 months under house arrest, and later was placed under a ban on certain actions. The investigation deemed his participation in the meetings for worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be extremism. In July 2024, the case went to court.
Timeline

Persons in case

Sveshnikov
Mikhail

Criminal case

Region:
Vladimir Region
Locality:
Carpets
Suspected of:
"he took part in religious meetings... presented talks at them... carried out work to introduce the ideology of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses" (from the search warrant)
Court case number:
12302170013000077
Initiated:
August 22, 2023
Current case stage:
trial in court of first instance
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate for the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Vladimir Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-341/2024
Court of First Instance:
Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Natalya Novikova
Case History

Case of Popov in Kovrov

Case History
In August 2023, the Investigative Committee for the Vladimir Region opened a criminal case, in which Aleksandr Popov from Kovrov became a defendant. Law enforcement officers took him directly from his place of work and took him for interrogation, then searched his home. At the same time, the house of Aleksandr’s elderly parents was searched. After that, the man was placed under house arrest, and in December 2023, under a ban on certain actions. Discussing the Bible with friends via the Internet was considered “a grave crime against state power” by the investigation. In July 2024, the case went to court.
Timeline

Persons in case

Popov
Aleksandr

Criminal case

Region:
Vladimir Region
Locality:
Carpets
Suspected of:
"took part in religious meetings ... spoke at them" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12302170010000076
Initiated:
August 22, 2023
Current case stage:
trial in court of first instance
Investigating:
SO in the city of Kovrov of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Vladimir region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-29/2025 (1-340/2024)
Court of First Instance:
Kovrov City Court of Vladimir Region
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Maria Maslova
Case History

Case of Sakun in Kovrov

Case History
In August 2023, several searches took place in the Kovrov district of the Vladimir region, including at Oleg Sakun’s. Shortly before that, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the believer. He was accused of extremism for his peaceful religious activities. After two days in the temporary detention center, Sakun was placed under house arrest for 4 months. In May 2024, the materials of the criminal case were transferred to the court.
Timeline

Persons in case

Sakun
Oleg

Criminal case

Region:
Vladimir Region
Locality:
Kovrov
Suspected of:
"committed active actions aimed at continuing the illegal activities of this local religious organization ... He took part in religious meetings, spoke at them, performed the functions of a ministerial assistant, namely ... carrying out work on the introduction of the ideology of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city of Kovrov among the civil masses" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12302170010000075
Initiated:
August 21, 2023
Current case stage:
trial in court of first instance
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-273/2024
Court of First Instance:
Ковровский городской суд Владимирской области
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Артем Ожев
Case History
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