Occupiers upheld the convictions of Viktor Kudinov and Sergei Zhigalov for participation in Jehovah’s Witnesses  community

The occupation Sevastopol city “court” has completed consideration of the appeal in the case of Viktor Kudinov and Sergey Zhigalov, who were previously found guilty of participation in the activities of the religious organization “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. The decision of the court of first instance was left unchanged. This is reported by the “Crimean wind”.

The hearing was held in videoconference mode with the participation of the accused. The defense in the appeal emphasized the lack of evidence of formal participation of Kudinov and Zhigalov in the activities of the organization, and also drew attention to the results of psychological and linguistic expertise, which did not reveal in the records of worship services no signs of extremism.

Recall that in January 2025, a Russian court sentenced Zhigalov and Kudinov to 6 years’ imprisonment in a general regime colony for allegedly “organizing the activities of an extremist organization”.

The CTRC notes that the handling of the case, as well as the sentences themselves, are illegal and politically motivated. Both men are being persecuted solely for their religious beliefs. We demand from the Russian Federation to immediately release all Crimean political prisoners!