Aleksander Akelin
Aleksander Akelin, born 1966, Saratov Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Saratov region”. Status: under house arrest. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner.
In brief
Saratov Oblast · Drivers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: house arrest since September 25, 2025
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, the accused and other believers "renewed and organised the activities of a local religious unit on the territory of Saratov, which was expressed in convening meetings and carrying out preaching activities".
Latest event
September 25, 2025 — preventive measure: house arrest
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Saratov Oblast
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Saratov region
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Saratov region
Other defendants in the case
- Sergei Efremov — Under house arrest
- Alexei Kazakov — Under house arrest
- Filipp Ombysh — Under house arrest
- Mikhail Proshenkov — Under house arrest
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of the Saratov region. In early September of 2025, he was detained under a case of participation in an extremist organisation because of his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. On 5th of September, the court placed him in custody. On 25th of September he was placed under house arrest. Representatives of this community are prosecuted for extremism solely because of their religious activities - for holding meetings and worship services and recruiting new supporters.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.