Denis Antonov
Denis Antonov, born 1976, Mordovia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk”. Sentence (August 25, 2022): 2 years of imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, December 9, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, April 5, 2020.
In brief
Mordovia · Saransk · Shop assistants · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
of imprisonment in a general regime colony
Upheld October 17, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
He engaged in “spreading ideology and faith among the residents of the Republic of Mordovia… by holding conversations in public places and residential premises with residents of the city of Saransk and other settlements”.
Latest event
June 17, 2024 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, December 9, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, April 5, 2020
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Persecution ends
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Mordovia
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
Other defendants in the case
- Vladimir Atryakhin — Imprisoned, 6 years
- Alexander Korolev — At large, 2 years
- Georgy Nikulin — At large with restrictions, 4 years 2 months
- Elena Nikulina — Imprisoned, 4 years 2 months
- Alexander Shevchuk — At large, 2 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
Details and sources
Full summary
In February 2019, Antonov was reported to be a defendant in a case of organising and participating in the activities of an extremist organisation. He signed a recognizance not to leave the country. Later, the charge of organising activities of an extremist organisation was dropped.
On 25 August 2022 he was sentenced to two years in a general regime colony. On 17 June 2024 Antonov was released.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.