The Case of Proshenkov and Others in Saratov

Major of Justice A. N. Prydatko, senior investigator of the FSB Directorate for the Saratov Region, initiates a criminal case on organizing the activities of an extremist organization.

The Frunzensky District Court of Saratov sanctions searches in the homes of local believers.

The court is sending four believers — Mikhail Proshenkov, 58, Aleksandr Akelin, 57, Aleksey Kazakov, 56, and Philip Ombysh, 40 — to a pre-trial detention center. 29-year-old Sergey Yefremov is placed under house arrest.

The believers are in quarantine cells. Mikhail Proshenkov and Aleksandr Akelin have already received letters from their relatives.

Proshenkov has pain in his joints, and to relieve the pain, he massages his legs. He developed a tremor due to the stress he suffered during the search; his body still shows marks from the stun gun. Mikhail has difficulty reading because law enforcement officers broke his glasses; but there is a large print copy of the Gospels in his cell.

Aleksey Kazakov misses his family. Being separated is especially difficult for his daughter, who has been disabled since childhood — they have never been apart even for a week.

Aleksandr Akelin receives the necessary medications from his relatives.

The court of appeal changes the preventive measure for Akelin, Ombysh and Kazakov to house arrest.

Proshenkov remains in pretrial detention until October 28. The appeal of the appointed lawyer against the preventive measure for the believer was received by the court on September 11, but it has not yet been considered.