The Case of Tokhtaev in Poronaysk

Case History

In April 2024, Daler Tokhtayev was searched in the city of Poronaysk. Two months earlier, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against him under the article on participation in the activities of an extremist organization and involvement in it. This is how the investigation interpreted conversations with one of the residents of Sakhalin on biblical topics. Immediately after the search, the believer was detained and placed in custody. In October, the case was brought to court. The accusation was based on the testimony of a man who pretended to be interested in the Bible. In February 2025, the court sentenced Tokhtayev to 6 years in a penal colony. After 3 months, the court of appeal upheld this decision.
Timeline

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1.1) Art. 282.2 (2)

    Investigator of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Sakhalin Region, Captain of Justice Yulia Che, initiates a criminal case for faith under Parts 1.1 and 2 of Article 282.2 against Daler Tokhtayev.

    The investigation suspects the believer of "conducting conversations with citizens of the Russian Federation" on biblical topics, and interprets this as a continuation of the activities of a banned religious organization and an attempt to involve him in it.

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2) Art. 282.2 (1.1) Search Detention center
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    Detention center Letters

    Daler Tokhtayev is kept in a cell for 10 people, he has his own bed. You can shower once a week. Despite the fact that Dahler has a serious gastrointestinal disease and underwent surgery six months ago, now his condition is still stable.

    The believer remains cheerful and positive. He has a Bible, which was given to him in the library of the pre-trial detention center. Tokhtaev also receives letters of support, for which he is very grateful.

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    Case went to court

    The case goes to the Poronaisk City Court. It will be considered by judge Yulia Sheveleva.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Daler Tokhtayev expresses his disagreement with the charges brought against him. The judge allows the defendant's brother to participate in the trial as a public defender.

    12 people come to support Dahler.

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    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    Daler Tokhtaev explains that he is accused of having conversations with a provocateur: "As it turned out, he only pretended to be interested in the Bible, and he himself denounced me to the FSB."

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    Prosecutor requested punishment

    The prosecutor requests a sentence of 8 years in prison for Daler Tokhtayev.

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    Closing arguments for the defense

    The defendant explains in detail to the court why the testimony of the witness Rosenblit should be critical. The latter, feigning an interest in the Bible, met with Tokhtaev several times to discuss this book via video-conferencing, initiating these conversations. Rosenblit, among other things, testified about meetings with Tokhtaev, which allegedly took place during the period when the believer was in the hospital in a serious condition and could not even write a message to his wife. The believer calls Rosenblit's testimony unfounded and emphasizes that their conversations about the Bible did not contradict the laws and the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

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    Final statement In the courtroom First Instance Sentence Art. 282.2 (2) Art. 282.2 (1.1) Deprivation of liberty

    Daler Tokhtaev makes his final statement.

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    Detention center

    It becomes known that Daler Tokhtaev was placed in solitary confinement in a pre-trial detention center.

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    Detention center

    The believer is still in solitary confinement. Reading the Bible, writing answers to letters, taking walks and taking care of cleanliness in the cell helps to cope with negative emotions, if they appear.

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    Court of Appeal Art. 282.2 (2) Art. 282.2 (1.1)

    By the decision of the panel of judges of the Sakhalin Regional Court, the verdict — 6 years of imprisonment — enters into legal force. The believer has been held in a pretrial detention center for over a year for discussing religious and everyday topics with a resident of Sakhalin.

    In his appeal, the believer’s lawyer emphasizes that "witness S. Rozenblit talked with the convicted person voluntarily and repeatedly expressed a deep interest in learning about God and the Bible... Rozenblit could have ceased communicating with Tokhtaev at any time, which he eventually did. Moreover, Rosenblit did not face any negative consequences from the convicted person."

    In his final statement, Daler Tokhtaev says: "I sincerely believe that a person who lives according to the moral principles set out in the Bible only benefits society." He adds, "Discussing topics, such as God’s purpose for the earth, cannot be declared criminal."

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    Life in prison

    Daler Tokhtaev is in penal colony No. 1 for the Sakhalin Region.

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    Life in prison Punishment cell

    Upon arrival at the penal colony, Daler Tokhtaev was immediately placed in a punishment cell. Later, for some unknown reason, the period of his detention in the punishment cell was extended for another 14 days.

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