The Case of the Chechulins in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy

Investigator D. M. Petukhov of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kamchatka Territory initiates a criminal case against the spouses Sergey and Elena Chechulin. They are suspected of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. According to the investigator, the unlawful actions of the believers were expressed in "convening meetings, organizing collective religious speeches and services, in accordance with the ideology of the religious association of Jehovah's Witnesses at these meetings." They are also charged with "planned training in the postulates of the religious association Jehovah's Witnesses."

The case is submitted to the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky City Court of the Kamchatka Territory and referred to Judge Ivan Pantyashin for consideration.

The defendants express their attitude to the charges. Sergey Chechulin recalls the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, which did not evaluate individual actions of Jehovah's Witnesses as believers. The defendant stresses that his and his wife's right to profess religion is inappropriately regarded as a criminal offence. He notes: "Not a single episode of a crime against the state or against any person is given ... We live by the biblical commandment 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The court reads out the transcripts of the believers' conversations. Commenting on one of the audio recordings, Elena Chechulina explains that she talked with friends about how to find true happiness, and how hope helps to maintain a positive attitude in difficult times. She says, "It is love that is at the heart of my actions, not hatred or enmity as the indictment says."

Witnesses are being questioned. One of them says that she knows the defendants as believers, decent and law-abiding people, and the other has never seen the Chechulins.

Sergey Chechulin comments on one of the transcripts of the recorded conversation: "We are talking about prayer, the conversation is completely based on the Bible, there are no words that would humiliate representatives of other religions." Elena Chechulina adds: "The transcript often mentions the expression 'meeting of the congregation,' which means Christian worship, not a meeting of a legal entity."

The court continues to read out the transcripts of the recordings. Sergey Chechulin draws attention to the topic discussed at the service - how not to get addicted to video games and alcohol. Yelena Chechulina notes: "The investigation presents the joint worship of God, the performance of religious songs and prayers as a criminal act."

The reading of transcripts of hidden recordings continues. Sergey Chechulin explains that this passage discusses the question of how to choose words in a conversation with people so as not to hurt their feelings.

Prosecutor Denis Sotnikov announces the end of the presentation of his evidence. The case file contains at least 17 volumes.

The defendants give their testimony to the court.

The defense invites 14 witnesses to the court for questioning. All of them use Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

The prosecutor requests for Sergey and Elena Chechulin a sentence of 6 years in a general regime colony with deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to participation in the work of public organizations for 4 years and restriction of liberty for 1 year.

The prosecutor also asks to cancel the arrest imposed on Elena's money and Sergey's car, and return them to the defendants. He appeals to the court with a request to assess the actions of witnesses who used Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation at the hearing.

Sergey and Elena Chechulin make their final statement.

The Chechulins' case is submitted for a new trial to the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky City Court and assigned to judge Olga Obraztsova.

The defendants testify in court. Sergey Chechulin draws attention to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 20.04.2017: "There is not a word here about the prohibition of citizens to be Jehovah's Witnesses. Questions arise: Did I have the right to read and discuss the Bible with my relatives, neighbors, acquaintances or friends after this court decision? Did I have the right to sing a song or pray with them? Did I have the right to continue to practice my religion in association with others as part of a non-forbidden religious group?" He answers: "I believe that I had and still have such a right."

Yelena Chechulina claims that she did not hold a single worship service, but only attended meetings not prohibited by law, sang songs, prayed and communicated with fellow believers. "Speaking on spiritual topics, reading and studying the Bible is my need, just like I am, to work, to rest. It has nothing to do with the organization of legal entities," she emphasizes.

Referee: Olga Obraztsova. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky City Court of the Kamchatka Territory (6 Kurchatov Street, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky). Time: 14:00.

Elena and Sergey Chechulin make their final remarks.