Photo: Alexander Polozov with his wife Svetlana after being released from the pre-trial detention center

Photo: Alexander Polozov with his wife Svetlana after being released from the pre-trial detention center

Photo: Alexander Polozov with his wife Svetlana after being released from the pre-trial detention center

Criminal Investigation and Trial

Aleksandr Polozov Successfully Appealed the Preventive Measure, Released From Pre-Trial Detention

Krasnoyarsk Territory

On January 14, 2020, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court granted Aleksandr Polozov's complaint against the preventive measure and released him from the pre-trial detention center. The decision of the lower Norilsk City Court was overturned. Meanwhile, in fact, Alexander was released only on January 21.

A believer from Norilsk was imprisoned for almost 3 months. Now he will await trial for his faith on his own recognizance.

The case against Aleksandr Polozov was initiated on October 20, 2019. According to the investigation, he is accused of "religious speeches and worship," as well as "propaganda of the activities of the banned organization Jehovah's Witnesses." For this, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

The Case of Polozov and Shevelev in Norilsk

Case History
In October 2019, special forces surrounded a camp site in Norilsk, where about 50 friends were spending time together. Some of them were interrogated. The Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against Stepan Shevelev and Aleksandr Polozov, charging the believers with organizing the activity of a banned organization. Their homes were searched. Polozov was arrested and sent to a pretrial detention center for 90 days, after which he was placed under a recognizance agreement. The same preventive measure was imposed on Shevelev. In June 2021, the believers’ case went to court. The prosecutor requested a 6-year suspended sentence. The judge returned the case of Polozov and Shevelev to the prosecutor, having found no corpus delicti in their actions. In July 2022, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court upheld this decision. However, in May 2023, the case went back to court. This time, the prosecutor requested 6 years in a penal colony for the believers. In December 2023, the court gave Polozov and Shevelev a 6-year suspended sentence.
Timeline

Persons in case

Polozov
Aleksandr
Shevelev
Stepan

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnoyarsk Territory
Locality:
Norilsk
Suspected of:
According to the investigation he “organized meetings ... in compliance with distinctive —  for this association — actions expressed in religious speeches, services, and propaganda of the activities of the banned organization ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’”
Court case number:
11902040013000096
Initiated:
October 20, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-278/2023
Court:
Норильский городской суд Красноярского края
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Сергей Курунин
Case History