05 June 2024, 23:48
Dozens come to support Elista Jehovah's Witnesses* in court
About 30 people from different regions have come to the debate session on the case of three Jehovah's Witnesses* from Elista, accused of extremist activities.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 29, the defendants, Kishta Tutinova, Tsagan Khalgaeva and Ekaterina Menkova, in court rejected charges of extremist activities, stating that they had enjoyed the constitutional right to profess any religion.
In March 2023, a court in Elista placed Tutinova under house arrest on charges of organizing extremist activities. Khalgaeva and Menkova were initially witnesses in the case, but in December 2023 they were accused of participating in an extremist organization. Tutinova is under threat of up to ten years in jail, Khalgaeva and Menkova – up to six years. At the same time, none of those questioned in court could confirm that Tutinova, Khalgaeva and Menkova had made any extremist statements.
Prior to the session, at which the defendants' last plea had been scheduled, over 30 persons gathered at the courthouse; 21 of them were let into the courtroom. They communicated with each other willingly and joyfully, but were extremely reluctant while talking to "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Let us remind you that the case of Tutinova, Khalgaeva and Menkova was the first criminal case in Kalmykia initiated against Jehovah's Witnesses* after the ruling of the Russian Supreme Court to liquidate religious organizations.
*396 Russian organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses are recognized as extremist, and their activities in Russia are banned by court's decision.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 5, 2024 at 02:36 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: СK correspondent
