NOVEMBER 17, 2020 | UPDATED: FEBRUARY 1, 2023
RUSSIA
UPDATE—NEW VERDICT | Russian Court Denies Appeal From Three Witnesses
On January 31, 2023, the Kamchatka Territory Court reimposed a two-year suspended sentence in the case involving Konstantin, his wife, Snezhana, and Vera. They will not have to go to prison at this time.
On December 15, 2022, the Judicial Board for Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court of Russia reversed the decision to acquit Brother Konstantin Bazhenov, his wife, Snezhana, and Sister Vera Zolotova. Their case will now be returned to the appeal stage. Representatives of at least six foreign embassies attended the hearing in a show of support for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
On June 10, 2022, the Ninth General Jurisdiction Court of Cassation rejected the prosecutor’s request to overturn the acquittal of Konstantin, Snezhana, and Vera. The prosecutor has appealed to the Supreme Court of Russia.
On January 18, 2022, the Kamchatka Territory Court upheld the second appeal of Konstantin, his wife, Snezhana, and Vera. They were acquitted of all charges with immediate effect. All three Witnesses now have the right to seek compensation for unlawful criminal conviction. The prosecutor will appeal the decision.
On November 17, 2020, the Kamchatka Territory Court denied the appeal in the case involving Konstantin, his wife, Snezhana, and Vera. Their original two-year suspended sentence will now go into force. They will not have to go to prison at this time. All three remain steadfast and joyful.
At the close of the original September 25, 2020 hearing, Brother Bazhenov boldly told the judge that he did not fear conviction. He also said that it is a privilege to be part of the fulfillment of John 15:20, where Jesus foretold that his disciples would be persecuted.
Brother Bazhenov went on to remind the court that at Matthew 28:19, 20 Jesus commanded his disciples to preach. Brother Bazhenov then asked the powerful question: “Who has the right to cancel or forbid what Christ commanded?” He then said: “I will not be able to remain silent. . . . I will continue to tell the good news from the Bible.”