Jehovah’s Witness* Scherbich recognized as political prisoner

Alexei Scherbich, a Jehovah’s Witness* from the city of Neftekumsk, has been recognized as a political prisoner, since the charges brought against him are discriminatory and violate a number of his rights, the “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial” human rights project reports.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on June 20, it became known that the police detained 52-year-old Alexei Scherbich, accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization and financing it.

The charges brought against Alexei Scherbich are based only on the facts that he, being a believer, participated in rituals and distributed materials of his religion, and therefore, these charges are discriminatory and violate international legal norms, in particular, the right to freedom of religion. Therefore, Alexei Scherbich is recognized as a political prisoner, the “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial” human rights project reports in its Telegram channel.

Let us remind you that earlier, along with Alexei Scherbich, Jehovah’s Witnesses* from Neftekumsk Konstantin Samsonov, Alexander Akopov, and Shamil Sultanov had also been involved as defendants in the same case. They were included by human rights defenders in the list of political prisoners.

*396 Russian organizations of Jehovah’s Witnesses are recognized as extremist, and their activities in Russia are banned by court’s decision.