The Case of Anufriev and Others in Kstovo

Investigator of the Department of Internal Affairs "Kstovsky", Captain of Justice E. A. Ryabkova initiates a criminal case for participation in the activities of an extremist organization.

Judge of the Kstovo City Court Sergey Evdokimov chooses a preventive measure in the form of detention for three detained married couples of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Andrey Mikholap and Vladimir Anufriyev are being held in double cells. There are three women together with Anastasia Anufrieva. The food in the pre-trial detention center is satisfactory.

The criminal case against the six believers is being transferred to the investigative unit of the Main Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The investigation team is headed by the deputy head of the department, Yevgeniy Mokhnonogov.

The court once again extends the period of detention in the pre-trial detention center. The courtroom is the only place where spouses can see each other. All three couples have been under arrest for more than five months.

The cell where Viktor Chernobaev is being held with another prisoner is warm, has cold water and a small refrigerator. Viktor has good relations with his cellmate and the staff of the pre-trial detention center. He goes for walks and exercises. Although the complete Bible was confiscated from Victor, he was given the New Testament and the Psalter. He also receives letters of support.

Anastasia Anufriyeva is in an 8-bed cell, 7 other women are being held there with her. The room is warm, there is water and a small refrigerator. In January, they were taken out for walks more often. The attitude of the cellmates and the staff of the pre-trial detention facility is generally friendly.

Anastasia has a Bible in the Synodal translation. The believer received 420 letters from relatives and caring people. This makes her happy and helps her not to lose heart.

Anastasia's chronic illness worsened. She needs medication, which she does not receive at the moment, despite the applications she has submitted.

Anastasia Anufrieva, Oksana Mikholap and Alyona Chernobaeva are in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Oksana Mikholap is being held in a transit cell, designed to accommodate 21 people. There is hot water, TV, toilets and showers. Some of the prisoners in her cell have HIV or hepatitis C. Oksana has to carefully sanitize all bathroom facilities before use.

Recently, a woman with pediculosis was transferred to the cell, but the detention center did not have the necessary means for sanitation. Thanks to the efforts of Oksana, who managed to convince the woman to shave her hair, the problem was quickly resolved.

Oksana is respected by her cellmates, who admit that the balanced conduct of the believer has a calming effect on them. The place where her bed is situated is called "a quiet godly corner".

Anastasia Anufrieva regularly receives letters — already more than 1200. There are 14 people in the cell with Anastasia. Thanks to her, two cellmates quit smoking, and others note that since she came to the cell, it has become quieter, calmer, and they argue less. Regarding her well-being, she is still troubled by chronic tonsillitis.

Alena Chernobaeva is in a cell for 10 people. Two beds are joined together and cannot be separated. The other prisoners are very friendly to her: they call her "Little Flower", ask her permission to turn on the TV and try not to make noise when she goes to bed. Her cellmates say that since Alena arrived, there are far fewer quarrels and misunderstandings between them.

Andrey Mikholap was placed in 16 different cells during his imprisonment. Since May of this year, he has been in a double cell in a special unit, where there is no refrigerator, TV or hot water. There are cockroaches. During the transfer to the special unit, the officers confiscated many permitted things from him, but the believer still treats everyone kindly.

Andrey is allowed daily walks. He is allowed to read the Bible and receive letters of support, although since February their flow has noticeably decreased — now he gets about 12 letters a week. He tries to reply to each one.

Viktor Chernobaev is also being held in a special unit. Double bars are installed on the windows of his cell, which creates certain difficulties: in cold weather, prisoners cannot close the window on their own, and in hot weather they cannot open it.

Viktor receives letters — there are already more than 500 of them, but he admits that he misses simple human association.

Vladimir Anufriev has been in a four-bed cell for 3 months, where everyone except him smoked. One of his cellmates, after talking to him, soon quit smoking. Vladimir's eyesight is deteriorating, but he has glasses. He does not lose optimism, reads the Bible, and the number of letters he receives is close to 800.

At one of the hearings, on the preventive measure, Vladimir said: "Dear court, I have nothing to add, except for one thing: I want to confess my love to my wife. Nastya, I love you very much!" All the believers miss their partners, from whom they already have been separated for a year.

Andriy Mikholap remains in a special unit, in a double cell. The attitude of the cellmate and the staff of the pre-trial detention center is respectful.

Vladimir Anufriev is now being held in a two-person cell. There is hot water, from the window you can see the forest and the sun. Out of respect for Vladimir, the cellmate stopped smoking in his presence.

The believer notes that his eyesight continues to deteriorate due to incorrectly selected lenses prescribed by the doctor of the medical unit of the pre-trial detention center. In addition, frequent movements from one cell to another have led to a back injury and severe pain, so he tries to regularly perform suitable physical exercises.

Vladimir continues to receive letters, although their number has decreased. He writes 4 answers a day. It is possible to read the Synodal translation of the Bible.

Viktor Chernobaev had a cold a couple of months ago, but fully recovered. He is kept in a double cell where there is hot water. The attitude of the cellmate and the staff of the pre-trial detention center is friendly. Regular programs help the believer to maintain everyday life.

Oksana Mikholap continues to receive letters of emotional support, which commands the respect of her cellmates. Once, seeing the volume of correspondence, they asked in surprise: "Is it all for you alone? What good friends you have!"

There are now 17 people in the cell where Oksana is being held. The prisoner with HIV was transferred to another room, but the woman with hepatitis C remains.

Anastasia Anufrieva is being held in a cell with 15 people. The believer continues to receive letters, and the presence of the Bible helps her to maintain inner peace.

Alyona Chernobaeva began to receive fewer letters, but the Bible remains a great support.

The cellmates respect and sympathize with Oksana, Anastasia and Alena. The administration of the pre-trial detention center is neutral towards believers.