The Case of Semenov in Cherkessk

An investigator of the Investigative Committee and law enforcement officers are conducting a search in the apartment of Yevgeniy Semenov. Electronic devices are seized from him.

The court chooses a preventive measure for Semenov in the form of detention. He is placed in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Cherkessk.

The Investigative Committee reports that a criminal case has been opened against Semenov on suspicion of organizing the activities of an extremist organization (part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

It becomes known that two more cases were opened against Semyonov - for participation in the activities of an extremist organization (part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and involvement of other persons in this activity (part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). All three cases have been merged into one proceeding.

The case goes to the Cherkessk City Court of the KChR. It will be considered by judge Azamat Kubov.

Yevgeniy Semenov is included in the list of extremists of Rosfinmonitoring.

Yevgeniy is alone in the cell. The attitude towards him on the part of the administration of the pre-trial detention center is good.

In August, the believer suffered a cold. He suffers from allergies and does not have the opportunity to take the necessary medications.

Semyonov has the Bible in the Synodal translation. He can receive letters.

12 listeners are allowed into the courtroom. Yevgeniy Semenov petitions for the refusal of a lawyer, he intends to defend himself on his own. The judge grants the defendant's request.

The prosecutor announces the indictment. The defendant expresses his attitude to the charges. He refers to the Supreme Court decision of 20 April 2017 and stresses that the court did not evaluate the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yevgeniy Semenov also refers to Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on freedom of religion and says that the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia is not prohibited. The text of the attitude shall be attached to the materials of the criminal case.

Judge Azamat Kubov grants the defendant's motion to summon witnesses to the court for questioning.

Yevgeniy remains calm and positive. Now he has a cellmate, they have a good relationship. The believer works as a janitor. The administration of the pre-trial detention center treats him with respect. The medical staff of the pre-trial detention center approved the issuance of the necessary allergy medications to Semyonov.

The believer regularly receives letters of support from different parts of Russia, as well as from other countries.

The prosecutor requests a imprisonment sentence for Semyonov for 6 years and 5 months in a general regime colony. After that, the defense speaks in the debate and the believer pronounces the final statement.