Maxim Prusakov, an investigator of the first department for the investigation of especially important cases of the investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Tver region, initiates a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organization of extremist organization activities) against 68-year-old Valery Tolmazov, 50-year-old Alexander Kostyuk and 40-year-old Maxim Barbazyuk.
Early in the morning, searches are carried out in the homes of the three suspects, during which law enforcement officers seize electronic devices. Then Valeriy Tolmazov, Oleksandr Kostyuk and Maksim Barbazyuk are taken to the local department of the Investigative Committee for interrogations, which continue until late, after which the believers are released.
About 40 people gather outside the courthouse, wishing to support the defendants. 10 listeners are allowed into the meeting room.
A witness who previously attended meetings for worship is being questioned in court. He says he read in a magazine from the 1970s that Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden to give blood transfusions and organ transplants. The lawyer clarifies whether the witness knew that Aleksandr Kostyuk had undergone hip replacement surgery. He replies in the negative. At the request of the prosecutor, the testimony of the witness given during the preliminary investigation is read out in court. He fully confirms them.
Then the testimony of another witness is read out.