Sergei Bastaev
Sergei Bastaev, born 1965, Bashkortostan. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ufa”. Status: at large.
In brief
Bashkortostan · Ufa · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: ban on certain activities since February 13, 2026
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, Bastaev and other defendants "organised and held meetings in public places via video-conferencing... with the aim of propagandising the activities of a banned organisation".
Latest event
August 25, 2026 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ufa
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ufa
Other defendants in the case
- Maria Gareeva — At large
- Andrei Gubeev — At large
- Alfiia Dzhavadova — At large
- Ruslan Tazyrov — Imprisoned
- Roza Tazyrova — Imprisoned
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Ufa. On 11 February 2026, following mass searches of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ufa, Bastaev was detained on charges of participation in an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship services, and attracting new supporters.
On 13 February, Bastayev was released under a prohibition of certain actions.
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.