Alexander Akopov
Alexander Akopov, born 1992, Stavropol Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.3 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code (Financing extremist activities); “Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Neftekumsk”. Sentence (August 4, 2022): a fine of one million roubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, January 30, 2019.
In brief
Stavropol Krai · Neftekumsk · Construction workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of one million roubles
First instance, April 18, 2022: a fine of 500 thousand roubles
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.3 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code — Financing extremist activities
Full wording of the charges
participated in organising the activities of an extremist organisation; participated in fundraising, knowing that the money would be used both to support the activities of the extremist organisation MCJW (the Management Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses) and the extremist organisation IRO, which is part of its structure
Latest event
August 4, 2022 — appeal
The court changed the sentence.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, January 30, 2019
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed
· Persecution ends
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Neftekumsk
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Stavropol Territory
Criminal case
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Neftekumsk
Other defendants in the case
- Konstantin Samsonov — At large, 7 years 6 months
- Shamil Sultanov — At large
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Neftekumsk
Details and sources
Full summary
On 7 December 2018, a criminal case was opened in Neftekumsk, Stavropol Krai, under part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (organisation of activities of an extremist organisation). On 9 December, at least eight searches of Jehovah's Witnesses were conducted in the city as part of the investigation. Three people - Alexander Akopov, Konstantin Samsonov and Shamil Sultanov - were detained, one more person was declared wanted.
On 5 December 2019, Akopov was released from custody and a preventive measure in the form of prohibition of certain actions was chosen.
In June 2020, it became known that Akopov was also accused of raising funds for the needs of an extremist organisation.
On 19 April 2022 he was sentenced to a fine of 500 thousand rubles, released on account of the time served in custody. A measure of restraint was elected in the form of personal recognizance. On 5 August, the appeal court raised the fine to one million rubles, but with the account of time served ordered to pay 250 thousand rubles.
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.