Nearly 100 Jehovah's Witnesses are now on probation after receiving suspended sentences for "extremist activity" as a result of exercising their right to freedom of religion and belief. This constitutes the most common punishment handed down to Jehovah's Witnesses since criminal prosecutions began after the Supreme Court's 2017 liquidation of their Administrative Centre and associated ban on their activities nationwide.

One Muslim prosecuted for studying the writings of the late Turkish theologian Said Nursi – Nakiya Sharifullina from Tatarstan – is also currently serving probation under a suspended sentence (see below).

A full list of Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslim readers of Nursi's works given suspended sentences or fines is below.

Many other Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslim readers of Nursi's works have been jailed.

A total of 95 Jehovah's Witnesses have received suspended sentences (plus three who were later acquitted on appeal – see below), while 20 have received fines and 51 have been sentenced to imprisonment (seven of whom have so far completed their prison terms). Four Jehovah's Witnesses have been acquitted, three of whom were on 18 January 2022 the first to succeed in having sentences overturned on appeal (see below).

Although individuals with suspended sentences are not imprisoned, they must live under a range of restrictions, often for several years. They can also be sent to prison if found guilty of another crime or repeated administrative offence – including offences that have no connection with their conviction for exercising freedom of religion and belief (see below).

Most fines imposed have so far been towards the lower end of the range stipulated by the Criminal Code, and some have been reduced to account for the time defendants spent in detention. They still represent a serious financial penalty, in some cases amounting to more than 10 times the average Russian monthly salary (see below).

Yevgeny Yakku, who was convicted on two charges and had not spent any time in detention, was ordered to pay 880,000 Roubles (780,000 Roubles in a fine and 100,000 Roubles in compensation to the person he allegedly involved in the community), more than a year's average wage in his home region of Arkhangelsk. The court ordered that Bibles seized from him be destroyed (see below).

Investigators, prosecutors, and courts can also have people added to the Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring) "List of Terrorists and Extremists", often before they have been convicted or even charged. Banks are obliged to freeze an individual's assets, blocking all but small transactions. Being added to the List leads to a variety of problems in everyday life, e.g. being unable to receive salaries, pensions, or benefits, or renew insurance policies.

Courts in Russian-occupied Crimea have similarly handed down "extremism"-related jail sentences and suspended sentences to punish the exercise of freedom of religion or belief.

Charges and punishments

After being kept under FSB security service or police surveillance for some months, most targeted Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslim readers of Nursi's works are prosecuted under Criminal Code Article 282.2 for either "organising" (Part 1), or "participating in" (Part 2), "the activity of a social or religious association or other organisation in relation to which a court has adopted a decision legally in force on liquidation or ban on the activity in connection with the carrying out of extremist activity".

The manifestations of freedom of religion and belief for which Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims are prosecuted under both these parts of Criminal Code Article 282.2 are similar. They include meeting in each other's homes to pray and sing together, study sacred texts, and to discuss shared beliefs.

There is a wide range of compulsory and discretionary punishments – including post-imprisonment punishments - for convictions under Criminal Code Article 282.2. Some Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims have also faced charges under Criminal Code Article 282.3, Part 1 ("Financing extremist activity"), as well as under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1.1 ("Inclination, recruitment or other involvement of a person in an extremist organisation"), for which there is a similarly wide range of compulsory and discretionary punishments.

These punishments vary depending on the articles under which a conviction takes place, and whether a sentence is a prison sentence, suspended prison sentence, fine, or assigned work sentence. Such punishments include bans on holding certain positions and/or carrying out certain activities, restrictions on freedom, and administrative supervision.

The state of "sudimost" (having an active criminal record, the state of being a convicted person) also brings with it formal penalties and informal obstacles to life, as does being on the Rosfinmonitoring "List of Terrorists and Extremists" which among other consequences blocks their access to any bank accounts they might have. Almost everyone investigated or convicted on extremism-related charges is placed on the Rosfinmonitoring List.

People convicted on extremism-related charges are also barred from a wide range of occupations and activities. These include standing for election (this ban also covers people employed by or otherwise involved in "extremist" organisations, even if never prosecuted), and working in the aviation industry.

Consequences of suspended sentences

If the convicted person commits another crime or repeated administrative offences while a suspended sentence is in force, they may be sent to prison.

Jehovah's Witnesses already serving suspended sentences have described the consequences of suspended sentences, including being unable to see relatives living in other regions, and finding it impossible to secure jobs. They must also register regularly with probation authorities, and police may visit their homes at any time to check that they are obeying night-time curfews and travel restrictions.

Sentences

Since the first post-ban convictions of Jehovah's Witnesses in July 2019, courts have handed down:
- 25 suspended sentences under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1;
- 70 suspended sentences under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2;
- 4 suspended sentences under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1.1;
- 8 suspended sentences under Criminal Code 282.3, Part 1;
- 10 fines under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1;
- 9 fines under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2;
- 1 fine under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1.1;
- 2 fines under Criminal Code Article 282.3, Part 1.

(Another Jehovah's Witness – Sergey Skrynnikov – was fined under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2 in April 2019 for "continuing the activities" of the Oryol Jehovah's Witness congregation, which was liquidated as "extremist" in 2016, before the nationwide ban.)

These figures add up to more than the totals of individuals with suspended sentences or fines, as several people were convicted under more than one Criminal Code Article or part of an Article.

As with jail sentences, judges may also add bans on particular occupations or activities to suspended sentences (though not to fines). These run concurrently with probationary periods and periods of restrictions on freedom, although they may be longer. Jehovah's Witnesses have variously been prohibited from leading or participating in religious or public organisations, conducting religious education, and disseminating information online or on other telecommunications networks.

A total of 20 of those given suspended sentences have received such bans. The longest of these is a 6-year ban on engaging in the dissemination of religion, religious education, and the conduct of services and religious ceremonies, which was imposed on Albert Batchayev from the Republic of Karachay-Cherkesiya (nine others received bans of 5 years).

The longest known suspended sentence remains the 7-year term handed down on 12 May 2021 to Igor Valeryevich Turik (born 25 June 1968) from Perm.

The longest known probationary period is 5 years, imposed on:
- Yury Alekseyevich Krutyakov (born 16 July 1952), Moscow Region, on 24 May 2021;
- Grigory Gennadyevich Bubnov (born 4 September 1965), Nadezhdinsky District Court, Primorye on 21 January 2020;
- and Ruslan Nikolayevich Korolyov (born 8 August 1982) and Valery Anatolyevich Shalev (born 23 September 1977), Promyshlenny District Court, Smolensk on 23 April 2021.

Yevgeny Viktorovich Yakku (born 22 February 1980) received the largest fine yet imposed on a Jehovah's Witness – 780,000 Roubles – when he was convicted on 19 July 2021 at Solombalsky District Court in Arkhangelsk. This represents more than 14 times the average monthly wage in Arkhangelsk Region in 2021. He was found guilty under both Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1 and Article 282.2, Part 1.1. He was also ordered in an associated civil suit lodged by prosecutors to pay 100,000 Roubles in compensation to the person he allegedly involved in the community.

Yakku's criminal fine was initially 800,000 Roubles, but was reduced to account for the day he spent in detention after his arrest. Early in the investigation of Yakku's case, in February 2019, a court ordered the seizure of his family's two cars in order to ensure the payment of any future fine. At sentencing, Judge Nikolay Bakov ruled that the value of the cars - 530,000 Roubles - should be set against the fine imposed, leaving Yakku with a total of 350,000 Roubles to pay as a result of the criminal and civil cases.

Despite the reductions, this still represents a considerable financial burden. Yakku, a sales representative, lost the new job he had been supposed to start on the day investigators searched his home. Soon afterwards, he was fired with no explanation from a janatorial position, the jw-russia.org news website reported on 19 July 2021. By the time of his conviction, he had managed to secure another job as a janitor. He has been on the Rosfinmonitoring "List of Terrorists and Extremists" since 4 April 2019, and is not due to be removed from it until October 2022.

During their initial search, investigators also seized Bibles from Yakku's home, which Judge Bakov later ordered destroyed. It is unknown whether or how this has been done, Jehovah's Witness lawyers told Forum 18.

The nationwide average monthly salary before tax for those in work reached 54,649 Roubles in October 2021. Pay can nevertheless vary widely between regions. Many Jehovah's Witnesses who have been prosecuted are pensioners, either because of their age or a disability. The average state pension in Russia in 2021 was 15,801 Roubles per month.

Muslims similarly prosecuted

Muslims who meet to study the writings of Turkish theologian Said Nursi may similarly be prosecuted under the Extremism Law for organising or participating in the activities of "Nurdzhular". This organisation was banned as "extremist" in 2008, but Muslims in Russia deny any such formal organisation ever existed. Typically, such Muslims meet in homes to study Islam, with one or more expounding on Nursi's works. They also pray, eat, and drink tea together, and do not seek state permission to meet.

A total of 5 Nursi readers are known to have received suspended sentences since 2015; all but one have completed their probationary periods.

On 17 December 2021, Tatarstan's Supreme Court upheld the conviction under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1 of Nakiya Khametzakirovna Sharifullina (born 1 January 1958). In August 2021, Naberezhnyye Chelny City Court had given her a two-year suspended sentence with 18 months' probation. Appeal judges also rejected prosecutors' argument that her sentence was too lenient.

Since 2015, three Muslims who read Nursi's works have received fines, all in Krasnoyarsk Region. Two men who were fined in December 2015 had their punishments waived by an appeal court because of the statute of limitations in force at the time.

At present, only one person who met with others to read Nursi's works remains imprisoned. A court in Dagestan sentenced Ilgar Vagif-ogly Aliyev (born 16 February 1977) in May 2018 to eight years' imprisonment plus two years of restrictions on freedom for alleged involvement in "Nurdzhular".

No trials are currently known to be underway of Muslims who met to study Nursi's works, but four people in Dagestan and Tatarstan appear to be facing criminal prosecution.

Amended Supreme Court guidance

On 18 January 2022, three people with suspended sentences – Snezhana Yevgenyevna Bazhenova (born 20 December 1977), Konstantin Aleksandrovich Bazhenov (born 24 July 1977), and Vera Ivanovna Zolotova (born 20 October 1946), from Kamchatka Region – became the first Jehovah's Witnesses to have their convictions overturned on appeal, apparently as a consequence of the Supreme Court's amended guidance for judges in extremism cases.

Their acquittal is the second overall – a first-instance court in Vladivostok found Dmitry Barmakin not guilty in November 2021.

(Konstantin Aleksandrovich Bazhenov in Kamchatka is not to be confused with fellow Jehovah's Witness Konstantin Viktorovich Bazhenov, born 10 May 1975, from Saratov, who was deported to Ukraine after completing his jail term.)

The amendments direct judges to ascertain a defendant's "specific actions", their motivation, and "the significance [of these actions] for the continuation or resumption of a [banned organisation]'s activities". They also note that a person's actions "consisting solely of the exercise of their right to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion [..] do not in themselves constitute a crime under Article 282.2, Part 2, if they do not contain signs of extremism".

Despite this, courts have convicted 23 Jehovah's Witnesses since 28 October 2021, when the Supreme Court amended the decree on application of the Extremism Law. A total of 7 have been sentenced to imprisonment, while 12 received suspended sentences and 4 received fines.

Most appeals in the same period have also been unsuccessful – including Nursi reader Sharifullina's on 17 December 2021 – although four cassational hearings and one appeal hearing have sent cases back for re-examination (with one of the former leading to acquittal in Kamchatka).

Raids and prosecutions continue

More than 560 Jehovah's Witnesses remain under investigation, are on trial, or have been convicted as a direct result of the Supreme Court's 2017 ban. A total of 164 people have received sentences, including 19 fines, 95 suspended sentences, and 50 prison terms. Only four people have been acquitted.

In 2019, two other Jehovah's Witnesses were convicted of "continuing the activities" of the local Jehovah's Witness religious organisation in Oryol, which was liquidated as "extremist" in 2016, before the nationwide ban. One of them – Danish citizen Dennis Christensen – was imprisoned, the other fined.

Sixty-nine of Russia's 83 federal subjects (not counting Russian-occupied Crimea or Sevastopol) have seen prosecutions, with the highest numbers in:
- Primorye (39 people);
- Krasnoyarsk Region (25 people);
- Khabarovsk Region (24 people);
- the Jewish Autonomous Region (23 people);
- and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region (23 people).

Investigators opened 14 criminal cases against a total of 36 individuals in the last three months of 2021. On 16 January 2022, there were raids on four Jehovah's Witness homes in Gorno-Altaysk in the Altay Republic, including that of Aleksandr Kalistratov, who was first prosecuted under the Extremism Law in 2010.

Kalistratov was convicted under Criminal Code Article 282, Part 1 ("Actions directed at the incitement of hatred [nenavist] or enmity [vrazhda], as well as the humiliation of an individual or group of persons on the basis of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, attitude to religion, or social group") in 2011, but this was overturned on appeal.

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SUSPENDED SENTENCES AND FINES

List of those known to have been given suspended sentences or fines since 2017 after "extremism"-related convictions for exercising freedom of religion or belief. All those listed are Jehovah's Witnesses, apart from two fined Muslims who met other Muslims to study Nursi's works.

Convictions have been under these Criminal Code articles:
- Article 282.2 for "organising" (Part 1, possible prison term of 6 to 10 years), or "participating in" (Part 2, possible prison term of 2 to 6 years), "the activity of a social or religious association or other organisation in relation to which a court has adopted a decision legally in force on liquidation or ban on the activity in connection with the carrying out of extremist activity". The majority of convictions have been under this Article;
- Article 282.2, Part 1.1 ("Inclination, recruitment or other involvement of a person in an extremist organisation") with a possible prison term of 4 to 8 years;
- and Article 282.3, Part 1 ("Financing extremist activity") with a possible prison term of 3 to 8 years.

There are eight interlocking consequences related to "extremism" investigations and convictions for exercising freedom of religion or belief:

1) during investigation and even if no trial takes place, inclusion on the Rosfinmonitoring "List of Terrorists and Extremists". This blocks bank accounts, and causes for problems in finding formal employment, obtaining insurance, buying and selling property, and a range of other financial activities. Most of those listed below have been placed on the Rosfinmonitoring List;

2) if convicted, the prison sentence itself, or possible fines. Fines must be paid within 30 days of the fine entering legal force – this happens either 10 days after the judge issues the sentence, or upon an unsuccessful appeal;

3) for suspended sentences, the probationary period, which is the time during which any other conviction would send the defendant to prison;

4) for those not given prison or suspended sentences, or fines, a possible period of assigned work. This may take the form of a paid job in any organisation, as determined by the correctional centre administering the sentence. The assigned work depends on availability and the convicted person has no right to refuse. Officials check on convicted persons' locations at least once a day;

5) a possible period of restrictions on freedom. This normally includes a curfew between particular hours, a ban on visiting certain places, a ban on leaving one's home town, a ban on attendance at or participation in particular events, a ban on changing one's place of residence, work, or study without the probation authorities' permission, and an obligation to register with probation authorities one to four times per month;

6) sudimost, or the state of having an active criminal record. Individuals may face a harsher sentence if prosecuted and convicted again during this period. Individuals are also barred from holding certain jobs in sectors such as education, finance, the police and similar agencies, and the civil service, and from standing for election. Although there is no legal bar on employment in other sectors, many people find it hard to secure formal work after criminal convictions. Sudimost expires at the end of the probationary period for those who have received suspended sentences. For those who have received fines, sudimost expires one year after the fine is paid. The length of sudimost for those given prison terms depends on the category of crime of which they have been convicted – for serious offences such as those under Criminal Code Article 282.2, sudimost lasts for eight years;

7) for those given prison sentences, administrative supervision for the entirety of their period of sudimost. Administrative supervision consists of a set of restrictions on movements and activities, and a requirement to register regularly with the police;

8) and for those convicted under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Parts 1 or 2 either compulsory or discretionary bans on holding particular positions or undertaking particular activities.

SUSPENDED SENTENCES – ACQUITTED

- Kamchatka Region

Yelizovo District Court
25 September 2020
Konstantin Aleksandrovich Bazhenov (born 24 July 1977) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom;
Snezhana Yevgenyevna Bazhenova (20 December 1977) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom;
Vera Ivanovna Zolotova (born 20 October 1946) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2 (changed from Part 1 by judge)
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 11 October 2018
Appeal: unsuccessful – 17 November 2020, Kamchatka Regional Court; cassational, sent back for re-examination – 9 November 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok; new appeal, successful – conviction overturned on 18 January 2022, Kamchatka Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom ended: 17 May 2021

SUSPENDED SENTENCES (both in force and with appeals pending)

- Amur Region

Zeya District Court
2 June 2021
Vasily Pavlovich Reznichenko (born 18 August 1942) – 2 years, suspended; 8 months' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 6 November 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 29 July 2021, Amur Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 29 January 2022

14 July 2021
Konstantin Aleksandrovich Moiseyenko (born 17 May 1976) – 6 years, suspended; 4-year ban on leading or participating in religious organisations; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 6 November 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 9 September 2021, Amur Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 9 September 2022

- Bashkortostan Republic

Lenin District Court, Ufa
27 September 2021
Anatoly Sergeyevich Vilitkevich (born 15 September 1986) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 8 August 2018
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 December 2021, Supreme Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 June 2022

- Chelyabinsk Region

Central District Court, Chelyabinsk
7 June 2021
Dmitry Yuryevich Vinogradov (born 9 September 1963) – 2 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 3 years' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 5 March 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 28 October 2021, Chelyabinsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 28 October 2024

Metallurgical District Court, Chelyabinsk
11 March 2021
Valentina Anatolyevna Suvorova (born 18 January 1948) – 2 years, suspended; 1 year's probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 16 January 2020
Appeal: none
Restrictions on freedom ended: 21 September 2021

1 July 2021
Vladimir Nikolayevich Suvorov (born 5 January 1946) – 6 years, suspended; 5-year ban on leading or participating in religious organisations; 4 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 30 July 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 15 October 2021, Cheyabinsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 15 August 2022

Snezhinsk City Court
20 January 2022
Lyudmila Fyodorovna Salikova (born May 1951) – 6 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; unknown restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Jewish Autonomous Region

Birobidzhan District Court
20 January 2021
Yevgeny Anatolyevich Golik (born 27 October 1975) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 August 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 March 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region; cassational, unsuccessful – 6 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 March 2022
Konstantin Viktorovich Guzev (born 16 June 1964) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 August 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 13 May 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region; cassational, sent back for re-examination – 23 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

2 February 2021
Artur Sergeyevich Lokhvitsky (born 31 January 1986) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 August 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 8 April 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region; cassational, unsuccessful – 6 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 8 April 2022

12 February 2021
Igor Olegovich Tsaryov (born 14 May 1974) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 August 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 29 April 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region; cassational, unsuccessful – 13 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 29 April 2022

1 April 2021
Tatyana Yuryevna Zagulina (18 June 1984) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 2 years' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 September 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 September 2023

21 June 2021
Yevgeny Viktorovich Yegorov (born 19 February 1991) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 August 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 25 November 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 25 November 2022

25 June 2021
Tatyana Vladimirovna Sholner (born 31 August 1993) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 December 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 December 2022

19 July 2021
Irina Yuryevna Lokhvitskaya (born 4 March 1962) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 November 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 November 2022

20 July 2021
Anna Aleksandrovna Lokhvitskaya (born 16 April 1993) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 December 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 December 2022

30 July 2021
Natalya Romanovna Kriger (born 4 April 1978) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 5 March 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 25 November 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 25 November 2022

19 August 2021
Anastasiya Vladimirovna Guzeva (born 9 October 1979) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 2 December 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 2 December 2022

9 September 2021
Andrey Petrovich Gubin (born 16 April 1974) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 5 March 2020
Appeal: due to be heard on 1 February 2022, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

Obluchye District Court
21 January 2021
Anastasiya Nikolayevna Sychyova (born 5 May 1977) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 10 October 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 11 March 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region; cassational, unsuccessful – 29 November 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom ended: 21 September 2021

Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
20 April 2021
Larisa Aleksandrovna Artamonova (born 7 September 1970) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedoms
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 10 October 2019
Originally convicted on 12 February 2021 at Birobidzhan District Court and given a 10,000 Rouble fine – sentence increased on appeal by prosecution
Cassational appeal: unsuccessful – 6 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 20 April 2022

22 April 2021
Yelena Allanovna Reyno-Chernyshova (born 21 June 1968) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 10 October 2019
Originally convicted on 17 February 2021 at Birobidzhan District Court and given a 10,000 Rouble fine – sentence increased on appeal by prosecution
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 22 April 2022

13 May 2021
Yuliya Fyodorovna Kaganovich (born 5 May 1966) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 24 October 2019
Originally convicted on 16 February 2021 at Birobidzhan District Court and given a 10,000 Rouble fine to be paid in instalments over five months – sentence increased on appeal by prosecution
Cassational appeal: unsuccessful – 20 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 13 May 2022

- Kamchatka Region

Petropavlovsky-Kamchatsky City Court
24 November 2020
Sergey Mikhailovich Ledenyov (born 23 July 1974) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2 (changed by judge from Part 1)
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 22 May 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 19 January 2021, Kamchatka Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom ended: 19 June 2021

- Republic of Karachay-Cherkesiya

Cherkessk City Court
6 December 2021
Albert Salikhovich Batchayev (born 22 July 1976) – 6 years, suspended; 6-year ban on engaging in the dissemination of religion, religious education, and the conduct of services and religious ceremonies; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 26 February 2021
Appeal: unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

16 December 2021
Yelena Alekseyevna Menchikova (born 1964) – 5 years, suspended; 2 years and 6 months' probation; 13 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1.1; 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Kemerovo Region

Beryozovsky City Court
10 September 2020
Khasan Abduvaitovich Kogut (born 7 May 1983) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 28 February 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful, 23 December 2020 – Kemerovo Regional Court
Zavodsky District Court, Kemerovo
Restrictions on freedom ended: 23 December 2021

22 June 2021
Aleksandr Iosifovich Bondarchuk (born 13 July 1974) – 4 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom;
Sergey Nikolayevich Yavushkin (4 August 1960) – 4 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2; 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 14 August 2019
Appeal: sent to Kemerovo Regional Court on 2 August 2021 – no hearing date known
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Khabarovsk Region

Railway District Court, Khabarovsk
18 February 2020
Yevgeny Anatolyevich Aksyonov (born 19 June 1967) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 7 May 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 26 May 2020, Khabarovsk Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 19 October 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok
Restrictions on freedom ended: 26 November 2020

4 February 2020
Stanislav Viktorovich Kim (born 5 July 1968) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom;
Nikolay Yuryevich Polevodov (born 10 February 1970) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 22 October 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 2 July 2020, Khabarovsk Regional Court
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 20 May 2021 (Polevodov); 3 August 2021 (Kim)
Restrictions on freedom ended: 2 January 2021
Kim and Polevodov have also been charged separately under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1, alongside four other Khabarovsk Jehovah's Witnesses. Khabarovsk's Industrial District Court sent this case back to prosecutors in August 2020 because of shortcomings in the investigation; prosecutors resubmitted the case to court in December 2021 and hearings began in January 2022.

Central District Court, Komsomolsk-on-Amur
4 June 2021
Nikolay Gennadyevich Aliyev (born 7 October 1978) – 4 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 1 year and 2 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1.1; 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 19 November 2021
Appeal: unsuccessful – 2 September 2021, Khabarovsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 2 November 2022

- Kostroma Region

Sverdlovsk District Court
9 October 2020
Sergey Alekseyevich Rayman (born 5 October 1996) – 8 years, suspended; 5 years' probation; 2 years' restrictions on freedom
Valeriya Aleksandrovna Rayman (born 21 May 1993) – 7 years, suspended; 5 years' probation; 2 years' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1; 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 20 February 2021
Appeal: partially successful (Part 2 convictions upheld but Part 1 convictions overturned and suspended sentences reduced to 3 years (plus 9 months' restrictions on freedom) for Sergey and 2 years (plus 6 months' restrictions on freedom) for Valeriya, with two years' probation for both) – 26 February 2021, Kostroma Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom ended: 26 August 2021 (Valeriya); 26 November 2021 (Sergey)

- Krasnoyarsk Region

Railway District Court, Krasnoyarsk
21 December 2021
Vitaly Vladimirovich Sukhov (born 25 February 1967) – 6 years, suspended; 3-year ban on organisational activity in public and religious associations and organisations; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 25 June 2020
Appeal: unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

Sharypovo City Court
25 October 2021
Anton Olegovich Ostapenko (born 1991) – 6 years and 3 months, suspended; 5-year ban on organisational activity in public and religious associations and organisations; 4 years' probation; 18 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: defence and prosecution appeals sent to Krasnoyarsk Regional Court on 10 November 2021 – hearing date unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Kursk Region

Promyshlenny District Court, Kursk
3 June 2021
Aleksandr Sergeyevich Vospitanyuk (born 18 November 1979) – 2 years, suspended; 3-year ban on posting messages or other materials on "public information and telecommunications networks, including the internet"; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 19 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 20 January 2022, Kursk Regional Court
(Tried alongside Andrey Andreyev, Andrey Ryshkov, Artyom Bagratyan, and Alevtina Bagratyan, who all received prison sentences.)
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 20 July 2022

- Mari El Republic

Gornomariysky District Court
31 May 2021
Yekaterina Gennadyevna Pegasheva (born 4 September 1989) – 6 years and 6 months, suspended; 5-year ban on working in religious organisations; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 10 October 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 4 August 2021, Supreme Court of Mari El Republic
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 4 August 2022

- Moscow Region

Chekhov City Court
24 May 2021
Yury Alekseyevich Krutyakov (born 16 July 1952) – 6 years, suspended; 5-year ban on holding organisational/regulatory and administrative/financial positions in religious associations; 5 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Zinaida Valentinovna Krutyakova (born 6 May 1958) – 2 years and 3 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Vitaly Sergeyevich Nikiforov (born 13 February 1968) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Konstantin Petrovich Zherebtsov (born 26 August 1973) – 2 years and 2 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1, 282.2, Part 1.1 (Krutyakov); 282.2, Part 2 (other three)
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 20 February 2021
Appeal: unsuccessful – 20 July 2021, Moscow Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 13 January 2022, 1st Cassational Court, Saratov
Restrictions on freedom ended: 20 January 2022 (Krutyakova, Nikiforov, Zherebtsov)
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 20 July 2022 (Krutyakov)

- Nizhny Novgorod Region

Pavlovo City Court
25 October 2021
Aleksey Borisovich Oreshkov (born 1971) – 3 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom;
Aleksandr Sergeyevich Rakovsky (born 1980) – 3 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom;
Aleksandr Vladimirovich Vavilov (born 1967) – 3 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unsuccessful – 14 January 2022, Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 14 November 2022

Prioksky District Court, Nizhny Novgorod
5 March 2021
Sergey Vitalyevich Verkhoturov (born 9 December 1974) – 6 years, suspended; 5-year ban on leading or participating in the work of religious associations and organisations; 4 years' probation; 2 years' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unsuccessful – 16 June 2021, Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 16 June 2023

29 November 2021
Viktoriya Leonidovna Verkhoturova (born 1976) – 4 years, suspended; 5-year ban on leading or participating in the work of religious associations and organisations; 3 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: due to be heard on unknown date at Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Novosibirsk Region

Lenin District Court, Novosibirsk
21 May 2021
Vitaly Yuryevich Popov (born 23 February 1967) – 3 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 2; 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfimonitoring List: 6 September 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 23 July 2021, Novosibirsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 23 July 2022

- Omsk Region

Pervomaysky District Court, Omsk
30 November 2020
Gaukhar Magauinovna Bektimirova (born 1 January 1976) – 2 years and 3 months, suspended; 2 years and 6 months' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom;
Dinara Khayrollayevna Dyusekeyeva (born 24 October 1982) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom;
Anastasiya Andreyevna Polyakova (born 25 May 1984) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 15 August 2018 (Polyakova); 21 November 2019 (other two)
Appeal: unsuccessful – 28 May 2021, Omsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom ended: 28 November 2021 (Bektemirova and Dyusekeyeva)
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 28 January 2022 (Polyakova)
(The three women were convicted alongside Anastasiya Polyakova's husband Sergey Polyakov, who received a three-year prison sentence.)

- Perm Region

Industrial District Court, Perm
12 May 2021
Boris Ivanovich Burylov (born 8 April 1941) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom;
Aleksandr Valeryevich Inozemtsev (born 13 July 1972) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom;
Viktor Aleksandrovich Kuchkov (born 28 June 1967) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom;
Igor Valeryevich Turik (born 25 June 1968) – 7 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 5-year ban on leadership of religious associations; 18 months' restrictions on freedom;
Yury Vladimirovich Vaag (born 21 August 1975) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom;
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1, 282.3, Part 1 (Turik); 282.2, Part 2 (other four – Burylov and Kuchov reclassified from Part 1)
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 February 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 20 August 2021, Perm Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 20 February 2023 (Turik); 20June 2022 (other four)

- Primorye Region

Nadezhdinsky District Court
21 January 2020
Grigory Gennadyevich Bubnov (born 4 September 1965) – 6 years, suspended; 5-year ban on involvement in public organisations; 5 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 11 July 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 18 March 2020, Primorye Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom ended: 18 March 2021

15 March 2021
Vladimir Viktorovich Filippov (born 24 March 1943) – 6 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 15 May 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 14 May 2021, Primorye Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 14 May 2022

19 May 2021
Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Shut (born 22 November 1947) – 4 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 25 February 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 25 August 2021, Primorye Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 25 August 2022

- Penza Region

Lenin District Court, Penza / Penza Regional Court
13 December 2019 / 16 September 2020
Vladimir Aleksandrovich Alushkin (30 June 1964) – 4 years, suspended; 2-year ban on leading and participating in public and religious organisations; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom;
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Tatyana Sergeyevna Alushkina (born 12 September 1963) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom;
Vladimir Aleksandrovich Kulyasov (born 17 April 1974) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom;
Andrey Aleksandrovich Magliv (20 June 1984) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom;
Galiya Anvarovna Olkhova (born 5 February 1970) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom;
Denis Vladimirovich Timoshin (born 23 March 1980) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom;
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 6 September 2018 (men); 30 May 2019 (women)
Originally convicted on 13 December 2019 – Vladimir Alushkin sentenced to six years' imprisonment, the other five given suspended sentences.
Verdict overturned on appeal at Penza Regional Court on 25 March 2020 and case sent for re-trial, but new proceedings halted by successful prosecution cassational appeal at 1st Cassational Court in Saratov.
Fresh appeal hearing on 16 September 2020 at Penza Regional Court, at which the original suspended sentences were upheld and Alushkin's six-year prison term changed to a four-year suspended sentence.
Cassational appeal by defence: unsuccessful – 9 December 2021, 1st Cassational Court, Saratov
Restrictions on freedom ended: 16 September 2021 (Alushkin); 16 May 2021 (others)

Nikolsk District Court
30 December 2021
Maya Leonidovna Krupnova (born 11 May 1957) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom;
Pyotr Sergeyevich Krupnov (born 12 July 1963) – 2 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 12 October 2021
Appeal: unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Pskov Region

Porkhov District Court
7 September 2021
Andrey Nikolayevich Khabarov (born 15 February 1975) – 3 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 6 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 21 November 2019
Appeal: case sent back for re-examination – 26 November 2021, Pskov Regional Court; first hearing in new proceedings due on 24 January 2022, Porkhov District Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

Pskov Regional Court
3 August 2020
Gennady Valerianovich Shpakovsky (born 6 October 1958) – 6 years and 6 months, suspended; 3-year ban on leading and participating in public and religious organisations; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1; 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Originally convicted on 9 June 2020 at Pskov City Court and sentenced to 6 years and 6 months' imprisonment – sentence reduced on appeal to a suspended sentence of the same length.
Restrictions on freedom ended: 3 August 2021

- Rostov Region

Lenin District Court, Rostov-on-Don
17 December 2020
Ruslan Ramizovich Alyyev (born 21 June 1987) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years and 6 months' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 1 March 2021, Rostov Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 24 November 2021, 4th Cassational Court, Krasnodar
Restrictions on freedom due to end: n/a

21 December 2020
Semyon Olegovich Baybak (born 14 May 1997) – 3 years and 6 months, suspended; 4 years and 6 months' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2; 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 29 March 2021, Rostov Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 13 January 2022, 4th Cassational Court, Krasnodar
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 29 March 2022

26 January 2021
Galina Vasilyevna Parkova (born 3 November 1970) – 2 years and 3 months, suspended; 2 years and 3 months' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 22 March 2021, Rostov Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 15 December 2021, 4th Cassational Court, Krasnodar
Restrictions on freedom due to end: n/a

18 May 2021
Lyudmila Ivanovna Ponomarenko (born 11 May 1950) – 2 years, suspended; 1 year's probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: none
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

2 August 2021
Andrey Vladislavovich Okhrimchuk (4 July 1979) – 4 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2; 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 November 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 4 October 2021, Rostov Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 4 October 2022

Voroshilov District Court, Rostov-on-Don
13 July 2021
Olga Aleksandrovna Ganusha (born 13 April 1961) – 2 years' suspended; 1 year and 6 months' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 30 September 2021, Rostov Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: n/a

- Sakha Republic (Yakutiya)

Lensk District Court
1 April 2020
Igor Nikolayevich Ivashin (born 16 April 1976) – 6 years, suspended; 5-year ban on holding leadership positions in any public organisation; 3 years and 6 months' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom;
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 11 June 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 21 May 2020, Supreme Court of the Sakha Republic
Restrictions on freedom ended: 21 May 2021

- Smolensk Region
Promyshlenny District Court, Smolensk
23 April 2021
Yevgeny Vladimirovich Deshko (born 7 May 1989) – 6 years, suspended; 3-year ban on holding positions of responsibility in religious organisations; 4 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom;
Ruslan Nikolayevich Korolyov (born 8 August 1982) – 6 years and 6 months, suspended; 4-year ban on holding positions of responsibility in religious organisations; 5 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom;
Valery Anatolyevich Shalev (born 23 September 1977) – 6 years and 6 months, suspended; 4-year ban on holding positions of responsibility in religious organisations; 5 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 31 August 2021, Smolensk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 31 August 2022
The three men were taken to court alongside Viktor Ivanovich Malkov (21 February 1959 – 26 April 2020), who died before proceedings had begun; according to the court website, the case against him was closed, but it remains unclear whether he is legally considered to have been found guilty. It is technically possible in Russia – though rare – to be tried and convicted posthumously.

Sychyovka District Court
22 April 2021
Natalya Igoryevna Sorokina (born 12 March 1975) – 6 years, suspended; 3-year ban on leading or participating in religious organisations; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom;
Mariya Vladimirovna Troshina (born 13 February 1977) – 6 years, suspended; 3-year ban on leading or participating in religious organisations; 3 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 27 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 15 September 2021, Smolensk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 15 September 2022

- Sverdlovsk Region

Karpinsk City Court
15 July 2021
Darya Igoryevna Dulova (born 10 March 2000) – 1 year, suspended; 1 year's probation; no restrictions on freedom;
Venera Nikolayevna Dulova (born 3 January 1968) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom;
Aleksandr Vitalyevich Pryanikov (1 May 1987) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 15 October 2020
Appeal: due to be heard on 4 February 2022, Sverdlovsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: n/a
The Dulovas and Pryanikov were originally convicted on 27 January 2020 and given similar suspended sentences. At an appeal hearing on 6 August 2020, Sverdlovsk Regional Court sent the case back for re-examination. All three are also subjects of another criminal case under Article 282.2, Part 1, Article 282.2, Part 1.1, and Article 150, Part 4 alongside two other Karpinsk Jehovah's Witnesses and a non Jehovah's Witness charged with the same offences.

- Tatarstan Republic

Naberezhnyye Chelny City Court
31 August 2021
Nakiya Khametzakirovna Sharifullina (born 1 January 1958 – Muslim) – 2 years, suspended; 18 months' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 11 June 2020
Appeal: by defence and prosecution, both unsuccessful – 17 December 2021, Supreme Court of the Tatarstan Republic
Restrictions on freedom due to end: n/a

16 December 2021
Ilkham Shamilevich Karimov (born 9 February 1981) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom;
Konstantin Viktorovich Matrashov (22 August 1988) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom;
Vladimir Nikolayevich Myakushin (born 6 November 1987) – 3 years and 1 month, suspended; 2 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom;
Aydar Maratovich Yulmetyev (born 10 August 1993) – 2 years and 9 months, suspended; 2 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1 (all); 282.3, Part 1 (Myakushin)
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 25 July 2019
Appeal: unknown
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Tomsk Region

Seversk City Court
17 November 2021
Yelena Petrovna Savelyeva (born 22 July 1941) – 4 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; no restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1.1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 20 April 2021
Appeal: second hearing due on 24 January 2022, Tomsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom due to end: unknown

- Ulyanovsk Region

Zasviyazhsky District Court, Ulyanovsk
8 October 2020
Sergey Aleksandrovich Mysin (born 21 June 1965) – 4 years, suspended; 4 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedoms
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich Ganin (born 8 January 1957) – 3 years, suspended; 3 years' probation; 9 months' restrictions on freedom
Khoren Nikolevich Khachikyan (born 25 April 1985) – 2 years and 4 months, years, suspended; 2 years and 6 months' probation; 7 months' restrictions on freedom
Natalya Aleksandrovna Mysina (born 17 December 1971) – 2 years and 2 months, suspended; 2 years and 6 months' probation; 7 months' restrictions on freedom
Andrey Vladimirovich Tabakov (born 23 January 1973) – 3 years and 3 months, suspended; 4 years' probation; 10 months' restrictions on freedom
Mikhail Grigoryevich Zelensky (born 7 November 1960) – 2 years and 6 months, suspended; 3 years' probation; 8 months' restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 30 May 2019 (Ganin); 6 May 2019 (others)
Probationary periods: from 2 years and 6 months to 4 years
Appeal: by defence, unsuccessful; by prosecution, partially successful – 29 January 2021, Ulyanovsk Regional Court (the appeal judge reversed the first-instance court's decision at sentencing to change Sergey Mysin's crime from Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1 ("organising") to Part 2 ("participation"). After the reversal of that decision, Mysin's suspended sentence was increased from 4 years to 4 years and 6 months and his period of restrictions on freedom from 10 months to 1 year.
Restrictions on freedom ended: 29 August 2021 (Khachikyan and Mysina); 29 September 2021 (Zelensky); 29 October 2021 (Ganin); 29 November 2021 (Tabakov)
Restrictions on freedom due to end: 29 January 2022 (Mysin)

SUSPENDED SENTENCES – NO LONGER SUBJECT TO PROBATION, RESTRICTIONS, OR BANS

No Jehovah's Witnesses have yet reached the end of their probationary periods.

- Chelyabinsk Region

Soviet District Court, Chelyabinsk
18 May 2016
Yakov Aleksandrovich Tselyuk (born 3 October 1984 – Muslim) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; 1 year's restrictions on freedom
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 13 July 2016
Appeal: none
Restrictions on freedom ended: 28 May 2017
Sudimost expired: 28 May 2018
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 6 September 2018

- Krasnoyarsk Region

Soviet District Court, Krasnoyarsk
14 August 2018
Sabirzhon Shamsidinovich Kabirzoda (born 4 May 1991 – Muslim) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; unknown restrictions
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 20 November 2017
Appeal: none
Restrictions on freedom ended: unknown
Sudimost expired: 14 August 2020
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 17 September 2020

- Ulyanovsk Region

Lenin District Court, Ulyanovsk
25 February 2015
Stepan Nikolayevich Kudryashov (born 8 February 1989 – Muslim) – 2 years, suspended; 2 years' probation; unknown restrictions;
Aleksandr Vasilyevich Melentyev (born 2 August 1989 – Muslim) – 1 year and 8 months, suspended; 22 months' probation; unknown restrictions
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 18 February 2015
Appeal: unsuccessful – 13 May 2015, Ulyanovsk Regional Court
Restrictions on freedom ended: unknown
Sudimost expired: 13 March 2017 (Melentyev); 13 May 2017 (Kudryashov)
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 20 January 2017 (Melentyev); shortly before 2 June 2017 (Kudryashov)

FINES (both in force and with appeals pending)

- Arkhangelsk Region

Solombalsky District Court, Arkhangelsk
19 July 2021
Yevgeny Viktorovich Yakku (born 22 February 1980) – 780,000 Roubles (reduced from 800,000 Roubles to account for one day spent in detention)
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1, 282.2, Part 1.1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 4 April 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 1 October 2021, Arkhangelsk Regional Court
Sudimost due to end: October 2022
Court in associated civil suit ordered him to pay 100,000 Roubles to the person he allegedly involved in the community

-Jewish Autonomous Region

Birobidzhan District Court
15 February 2021
Svetlana Yakovlevna Monis (born 15 July 1977) – 10,000 Roubles (payable in instalments over 5 months)
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 10 October 2019
Appeal: by defence, unsuccessful; by prosecution, successful – 12 May 2021, Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region
The appeal judge handed Monis a suspended sentence of 2 years and 6 months, with 2 years' probation and 1 year's restrictions on freedom.
Cassational appeal: case sent back for re-examination in appeal court – 9 December 2021, 9th Cassational Court, Vladivostok; new hearing date unknown

-Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region

Uray City Court
24 December 2021
Andrey Vladimirovich Sazonov (born 15 August 1980) – 500,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1, 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 10 October 2019
Appeal: lodged by both defence and prosecution, 10 January 2022 – hearing date at Court of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region unknown
Sudimost due to expire: unknown

- Kirov Region

Lenin District Court, Kirov
19 July 2021
Aleksandr Petrovich Shamov (born 4 November 1960) – 420,000 Roubles;
Andrey Vladimirovich Shchepin (born 11 June 1991) – 500,000 Roubles;
Yevgeny Georgiyevich Udintsev (born 14 March 1949) – 200,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 30 April 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 2 December 2021, Kirov Regional Court
Sudimost due to expire: December 2022

October District Court, Kirov
23 October 2020
Anatoly Mikhailovich Tokarev (born 31 December 1958) – 500,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Articles: 282.2, Part 1 and 282.3, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 4 July 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 14 January 2021, Kirov Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 30 November 2021, 6th Cassational Court, Samara
Sudimost due to expire: January/February 2022

- Krasnoyarsk Region

Minusinsk City Court
2 June 2021
Dmitry Anatolyevich Maslov (born 7 September 1976) – 450,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 20 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 5 October 2021, Krasnoyarsk Regional Court
Sudimost due to expire: October/November 2022

- Lipetsk Region

Soviet District Court, Lipetsk
24 November 2021
Viktor Nikolayevich Bachurin (born 22 February 1962) – 300,000 Roubles (reduced from 500,000 to account for time spent in detention);
Aleksandr Venyaminovich Kostrov (born 26 August 1961) – 300,000 Roubles (reduced from 500,000 to account for time spent in detention);
Artur Vyacheslavovich Netreba (born 6 February 1978) – 300,000 Roubles (reduced from 500,000 to account for time spent in detention)
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 12 March 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful (both defence and prosecution) – 20 January 2022, Lipetsk Regional Court
Sudimost due to expire: January/February 2023

FINES PAID AND SUDIMOST (CRIMINAL RECORD) SPENT

- Ivanovo Region

Furmanovo City Court
28 July 2020
Yevgeny Andreyevich Spirin (born 24 February 1986) – 700,000 Roubles (reduced to 500,000 to account for time spent in detention)
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 24 November 2020
Appeal: unsuccessful – 14 October 2020, Ivanovo Regional Court
Sudimost expired: October/November 2021
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 24 December 2021

- Kamchatka Region

Vilyuchinsk City Court
14 February 2020
Mikhail Yuryevich Popov (born 25 May 1962) – 350,000 Roubles
Yelena Vyacheslavovna Popova (born 10 September 1963) – 300,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1 and 282.2, Part 1.1 – but changed to Part 2 by judge at sentencing
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 11 October 2018
Appeal: partially successful – conviction upheld but fines reduced from 650,000 Roubles in total to 500,000 Roubles in total – 17 March 2020, Kamchatka Regional Court
Sudimost expired: March/April 2021
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 17 August 2021

- Khabarovsk Region

Khabarovsk Regional Court
5 November 2019
Valery Vasilyevich Moskalenko (born 15 April 1967) – 500,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Originally convicted on 2 September 2019 at Railway District Court, Khabarovsk, and sentenced to 2 years and 2 months of assigned work with 6 months' restrictions on freedom – sentence reduced to fine on appeal and waived because of time spent in detention
Sudimost expired: November 2020
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a

- Krasnoyarsk Region

Soviet District Court, Krasnoyarsk
3 July 2015
Tatyana Guzenko (born 1964/5 – Muslim) – 100,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unsuccessful – 31 July 2015, Krasnoyarsk Regional Court
Sudimost expired: August 2016
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Guzenko was tried alongside Yelena Gerasimova, who was also charged under Article 282.2, Part 1 – the case against Gerasimova was closed because of the statute of limitations in force at the time.
18 December 2015
Andrey Nikolayevich Dedkov (born 16 June 1979 - Muslim) – 150,000 Roubles (but later waived);
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Aleksey Sergeyevich Kuzmenko (born 9 June 1982 – Muslim) – 100,000 Roubles (but later waived)
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 2 April 2014 (Dedkov); shortly before 24 October 2014 (Kuzmenko)
Appeal: unsuccessful, but fines waived because of statute of limitations – 26 January 2016, Krasnoyarsk Regional Court
Sudimost expired: January 2017
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 7 December 2017 (Kuzmenko); 19 September 2018 (Dedkov).

7 June 2018
Andrey Nikolayevich Dedkov (born 16 June 1979 - Muslim) – 250,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 25 December 2018
Appeal by Dedkov: none
Prosecution appeal against fine for "excessive leniency" and for five year jail term rejected on 2 October 2018.
Sudimost expired: October/November 2019
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 30 January 2020

Sverdlovsk District Court, Krasnoyarsk
1 October 2018
Andrei Gennadyevich Rekst (born 14 March 1994 - Muslim) – 125,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: shortly before 14 October 2016
Appeal: none
Sudimost expired: October/November 2019
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 19 December 2019

- Murmansk Region

Polyarny District Court
24 January 2020
Roman Nikolayevich Markin (born 18 March 1974) – 300,000 Roubles (reduced from 600,000 Roubles to account for time spent in detention)
Viktor Fyodorovich Trofimov (born 26 March 1957) – 350,000 Roubles (reduced from 650,000 Roubles to account for time spent in detention)
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 1
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unsuccessful – 25 May 2020, Murmansk Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 16 December 2021, 3rd Cassational Court, St Petersburg
Sudimost expired: May/June 2021
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a

- Oryol Region

Oryol District Court
1 April 2019
Sergey Vladimirovich Skrynnikov (born 30 October 1962) – 350,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinonitoring List: shortly before 27 March 2018
Appeal: unsuccessful – 13 June 2019, Oryol Regional Court
Sudimost expired: June/July 2020
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 15 October 2020

- Perm Region

Ordzhonikidze District Court, Perm
4 July 2019
Aleksandr Vasilyevich Solovyov (born 13 February 1970) – 300,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: 20 June 2019
Appeal: unsuccessful – 5 September 2019, Perm Regional Court
Sudimost expired: September/October 2020
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: 29 October 2020

14 November 2019
Aleksey Aleksandrovich Metsger (born 8 September 1975) – 350,000 Roubles
Criminal Code Article: 282.2, Part 2
Added to Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a
Appeal: unsuccessful – 13 January 2020, Perm Regional Court; cassational, unsuccessful – 21 April 2021, 7th Cassational Court, Chelyabinsk
Sudimost expired: January/February 2021
Removed from Rosfinmonitoring List: n/a

(END)

More reports on freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Russia.

For background information, see Forum 18's survey of the general state of freedom of religion and belief in Russia, as well as Forum 18's survey of the dramatic decline in this freedom related to Russia's Extremism Law.

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