Igor Balashov
Igor Balashov, born 1966, Ulyanovsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code (Organizing the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dimitrovgrad”. Status: under house arrest.
In brief
Ulyanovsk Oblast · Dimitrovgrad · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: house arrest
Charges
- Article 282.2 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code — Organizing the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
February 11, 2026 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dimitrovgrad
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dimitrovgrad
Other defendants in the case
- Aleksandr Elizarov — Imprisoned
- Irina Elizarova — Imprisoned
- Igor Popov — Under house arrest
Details and sources
Full summary
He is a resident of Dimitrovgrad (the Ulyanovsk region). On 3 February 2026, his home was searched. According to the website “Jehovah's Witnesses. Legal situation in Russia”, after the search, began at 6 a.m., he was taken to an FSB department for questioning, which began shortly before midnight. For nearly 20 hours, Balashov was not allowed to eat, drink or take necessary medication. At the time of the interrogation, his blood pressure rose sharply, half of his face became numb, and he began to tremble. Balashov was later placed under house arrest as part of a case of involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation, namely the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities – holding meetings and worship services, as well as attracting new supporters.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.