Vladimir Atryakhin
Vladimir Atryakhin, born 1987, Mordovia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk”. Sentence (August 25, 2022): Six years in a medium-security prison. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since February 8, 2019; place of detention: Penal colony No. 3, Mari El. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020.
In brief
Mordovia · Saransk · IT specialists · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
Six years in a medium-security prison
Upheld October 17, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Vladimir Atryakhin was allegedly involved in "spreading ideology and faith among the residents of the Republic of Mordovia." According to the investigation, he did this by holding conversations in public places and residential premises with residents of Saransk and other nearby settlements.
Latest event
October 17, 2023 — cassation
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, January 8, 2020
Timeline
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 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
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· 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 the Republic of Mordovia
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
Other defendants in the case
- Denis Antonov — At large, 2 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
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 3, Mari El
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
ул. Медведево, 1, Медведево, Респ. Марий Эл, 425200, ФКУ «ИК № 3 УФСИН по Республике Марий Эл», Атряхин Владимир Андреевич, 1987 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Vladimir Atryakhin was detained on 7 February 2019 following a search of his residence. The next day, a court ordered him into custody on charges of organising activities of an extremist organisation, specifically due to his involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Members of this community are often prosecuted under extremist charges solely for their religious practices, including meetings, joint worship services, and recruiting new members.
In April 2019, Atryakhin was released on his own recognisance. However, on 25 August 2022, he was sentenced to six years in a medium-security prison.
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.