Translated material
The trial of the Scientologists case has started in St. Petersburg
The Nevsky District Court began considering the case of five Scientologists. They all plead their innocence.
On August 18, 2020, the Nevsky District Court of St. Petersburg proceeded to consideration of the case of St. Petersburg Scientologists.
To Church of Scientology members Ivan Matsitsky (leader of local organization), Sahib Aliyev (accountant), Galina Shurinova (executive director), Anastasia Terentyeva (head of official affairs) and Constance Esaulkova (lawyer) was charged under Part 3 of Art. 33 p. "c" part 2 Art. 282 of the Criminal Code, part 3 of Art. 33 part 1 art. 282.1 of the Criminal Code, part 2 of Art. 282.1 of the Criminal Code, part 3 of Art. 33 pp. "a", "b" part 2 of Art. 171 of the Criminal Code, part 5 of Art. 33 pp. "a", "b" part 2 of Art. 171 of the Criminal Code and part 3 of Art. 33 p. "b" part 4 of Art. 174.1 of the Criminal Code.
Thus, they are accused of organizing hate speech organized group, in organizing the activities of an extremist community and participation in it, in the organization of illegal business organized group with the extraction of income on an especially large scale, in complicity illegal business by an organized group with the extraction of income in on an especially large scale and in organizing the legalization of income on an especially large scale size.
At the first session of the court, the indictment was announced. defendants did not agree with the version of the investigation and stated that they did not admit guilt and believe that who are being persecuted for their faith.
Currently, the preventive measure for Matsitsky, Aliyev and Terentyeva is a ban certain actions, Shurinova and Esaulkova have a written undertaking not to leave.
As a reminder, we believe that the accusations under anti-extremist articles 282 and 282.1 of the Criminal Code was wrongfully brought against Scientologists.
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