The Case of Fomin in Cherkessk

Aslan Shabanov, senior investigator of the Investigative Committee for the city of Cherkessk, initiates a criminal case under part 1.1 of article 282.2 and part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code against Vladimir Fomin.

Rustam Atayev, judge of the Cherkessk City Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, orders Vladimir Fomin's detention until May 21, 2024, despite the fact that the defense asks to soften the measure of restraint for house arrest, linking this to the state of health of the defendant - right at the hearing, the believer loses consciousness, he is provided with emergency medical care.

Vladimir Fomin's health in the pre-trial detention center is deteriorating. He does not receive the necessary medicines, because of this, his chronic diseases have worsened.

Two more people are kept in the cell where the believer is located. He has a bed, but the sanitary condition of the bedding is unsatisfactory.

His wife gave Vladimir a parcel, but he did not receive it. Letters arrive, but irregularly. The administration of the pre-trial detention center promises to establish regular delivery of correspondence. Vladimir can take walks and read the Bible.

The case materials are submitted to the Cherkessk City Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

10 people come to the first court session. The prosecutor reads out the indictment.

Vladimir Fomin does not plead guilty and states: "I believe that the investigation was misled and mistakenly claims that my peaceful actions in the practice of religion are a continuation of the activities of some extremist organization." He adds, "I had every right to meet to discuss the Bible and fellowship."
The defense draws the court's attention to the prosecution's lack of "a description of what kind of extremism the defendant committed."

In the cell with Vladimir there are 3 more prisoners who treat him well. The Fomins are deeply affected by separation from each other. They have the opportunity to see each other about once a month during a short visit.

Interrogation of prosecution witness Khutova, who works in the Ministry of Internal Affairs as an interrogator. She reports that her mother, E. A. Oncheva, had been in contact with Jehovah's Witnesses on Bible topics for some time. According to Khutova, her mother asked her to rewrite the recordings of such conversations from the dictaphone onto a CD. These recordings formed the basis of the accusation.

Interrogation of E. A. Oncheva. She says she doesn't remember where she bought the recorder, who taught her how to use it, or where it went.

The defense asks to recognize the conclusion of the religious expert examination as inadmissible evidence due to violations in its compilation. The court rejects the petition, considering it premature.

Vladimir is feeling better, but chronic illnesses are making themselves felt. He is worried about his wife, from whom he has been separated for the second year. The believer is supported by letters from friends and thoughts from the Bible.

The hearing is adjourned at the request of the state prosecutor, who has just entered the process. The judge extends Vladimir Fomin's detention for another 3 months.

Referee: Sapar Baichorov. Cherkessk City Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (24 Voroshilova Street, Cherkessk). Start: 16:00.