Anton Bashabaev
Anton Bashabaev, born 1984, Saratov Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov”. Sentence (December 17, 2025): 600 thousand rubble fine. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, November 22, 2023.
In brief
Saratov Oblast · Saratov · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
600 thousand rubble fine
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he “carried out preaching activities and dissemination of Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine among residents of Saratov and Saratov region”, and also “participated in meetings held via Zoom software”.
Latest event
December 17, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, November 22, 2023
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
- Case number
- 1-159/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Aleksei Vasiliev — At large
- Aleksei Efremov — At large
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Saratov. 19 November 2023 detained at Volgograd airport. Bashabayev was informed that he was under a recognisance not to leave as part of a criminal case. The case was initiated under the article on participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters.
Bashabayev was taken to the city of Volzhsky, where he is registered and where his mother lives. After the search, Bashabayev was taken to Saratov. On 21 November, he was placed under house arrest. On 11 November 2024, the preventive measure was changed to a ban on certain actions.
On 17 December 2025, the court sentenced him to a fine of 600 thousand rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.