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Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

A New Wave of Searches in the Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses Took Place in Birobidzhan. Among Them Are the Postnikovs, Who Are Serving a Suspended Sentence for Their Faith

Jewish Autonomous Area

Not less than ten people were affected by raids of the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan and the village of Amurzet on February 6, 2024. At least two criminal cases have been initiated; one is being investigated by the Investigative Committee, the other by the FSB.

One of the believers, Anatoliy Artamonov, is suspected of involving a local resident in the activity of a liquidated legal entity of Jehovah's Witnesses (Article 282.2(1.1) of the RFCrC). From the search warrant it is evident that the resident in question is a young man from the village of Amurzet, located 200 km from Birobidzhan.

The home of his family was also searched by law enforcement officers. He had earlier applied for alternative civilian service. Although the young man explained this through his Bible-based personal beliefs, the military commander indicated in his response that "the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation declared the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses extremist and banned its activity in Russia in 2017."

Some of those affected by the search in Birobidzhan talked about the Bible with a local woman and her adult daughter. Turns out, they worked for the security forces and secretly recorded the conversations with the believers.

The searches as part of the case being investigated by the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region were authorized by the Birobidzhan District Court. Law enforcement officers seized electronic devices, data storages, personal notes and different translations of the Bible.

The search at the home of the Postnikov family in Birobidzhan took about five hours, and during this time a 72-year-old acquaintance visited them. The security forces seized her phone. Oleg, who is serving a suspended sentence for his faith, was threatened with tougher punishment, he was told to "prepare his bag." On February 9, an FSB investigator summoned the couple for interrogation.

In the Jewish Autonomous Region, 23 Jehovah's Witnesses have already been sentenced to various terms for their Christian beliefs.

The Case of the Postnikovs in Birobidzhan

Case History
In May 2018, a special operation of the FSB with the participation of 150 law enforcement officers, codenamed “Judgement Day”, took place in Birobidzhan. Oleg and Agnessa Postnikov were among the 20 Jehovah’s Witnesses who became victims of criminal prosecution. The FSB accused them of participating in the activity of an extremist organization and involving others in it. The couple was made to sign a recognizance agreement. The case went to court in June 2021. The charges against the believers were based on the testimony of police officer Zvereva and another resident of Birobidzhan, who pretended that she was interested in the Bible. In April 2022, the court gave Oleg and Agnessa suspended sentences of 5.5 and 5 years, respectively. The court of appeal overturned this decision and in October 2022 returned the case for a new trial, which resulted in suspended sentences of 5.5 and 4.5 years. Another hearing at the court of appeal upheld the verdict. In February 2024, another search took place at the Postnikovs’ home, but as part of a new raid by law enforcement officers on the homes of believers. In July 2024, the court of cassation upheld the decision of the court of appeal.
Timeline

Persons in case

Postnikov
Oleg
Postnikova
Agnessa

Criminal case

Region:
Jewish Autonomous Area
Locality:
Birobidzhan
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, "taking an active part in conducting religious events for studying and disseminating ... ideology"
Court case number:
12007990001000009
Initiated:
February 12, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Jewish Autonomous Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)
Court case number:
1-39/2023 (1-718/2022)
Court:
Birobidzhan District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Olga Klyuchikova
Case History
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