Vladimir Lepsky and his wife are being searched. It lasts 7 hours. According to Vladimir, in the temporary dwelling where he and his wife settled, law enforcement officers turn over all things, the bed, and look through documents. As a result, law enforcement officers confiscate electronic devices, bank pension cards, modems with a SIM card and personal records. Vladimir is being interrogated. Because of the stress, his wife feels bad and her blood pressure rises.
Investigator of the Investigative Committee A.D. Bushuev makes a decision to initiate a criminal case against Vladimir Lepsky under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. As an accusation, Bushuyev puts forward the following facts: "He read aloud to other participants the religious books of Jehovah's Witnesses, emphasizing that these books contain true knowledge about God."
It becomes known that the case of Vladimir Lepsky is under consideration by the judge of the Vyselkovsky District Court Elizaveta Proskuryakova.
The prosecutor brings charges. The believer does not admit guilt. Expressing his attitude to the charges, he quotes Russian religious scholar Sergei Ivanenko: "Jehovah's Witnesses are known all over the world for their impeccable law-abiding and, in particular, for their scrupulous payment of taxes." Lepsky notes: "I am doing this, because this is the command of Jehovah, written in the Bible."
A prosecution witness who attended online meetings for worship of Jehovah's Witnesses from 2020 to 2021 is being questioned. He notes that he does not remember what exactly was discussed at them, since it was a long time ago. He did not personally contact the defendant.
The prosecutor asks the court to sentence Lepsky to 2 years probation with restriction of liberty for 6 months and a probation period of 2 years.
Vladimir Lepsky makes his final statement.
