Albert Batchayev
Albert Batchayev, born 1976, Karachay-Cherkessia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Albert Batchayev”. Sentence (December 5, 2021): six years' suspended sentence. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, April 5, 2020.
In brief
Karachay-Cherkessia · Cherkessk · Religious figures · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
six years' suspended sentence
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
"using his authority as a spiritual leader of the followers of Jehovah's Witnesses, <...> resolved questions about the settlement of conflict situations with followers, organised collective religious services consisting of <...> successive performances of songs from a special collection of Jehovah's Witnesses' religious teachings and prayers to Jehovah God.
Latest event
June 16, 2025 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, April 5, 2020
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Persecution ends
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
The case of Albert Batchayev
Criminal case
The case of Albert Batchayev
Details and sources
Full summary
On 16 December 2019, a search took place at Batchayev's home. After interrogation, he was taken into custody on suspicion of organising activities of an extremist organisation. On 19 December it became known that the period of detention in the TDF was extended for 72 hours. Later, the court placed Batchayev in custody. On 6 February 2020, he was transferred to house arrest. On 17 February, he was returned to custody. 6 April again transferred to house arrest. In June 2021, he was released on his own recognisance not to leave.
6 December 2021 sentenced to six years' suspended sentence.
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.