Konstantin Bazhenov
Konstantin Bazhenov, born 1977, Kamchatka Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Yelizovo”. Sentence (September 24, 2020): two years' conditional sentence. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, September 15, 2018; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Kamchatka Krai · Yelizovo · Teachers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
two years' conditional sentence
Upheld September 14, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
"has repeatedly counselled persons who are at a lower religious level on how to behave with law enforcement officials" and generally has a "strong moral influence" on Jehovah's Witnesses in the city; does not co-operate with the investigation and tried to hide items from being seized during the search; "instilled his religious extremist beliefs" in "minor parishioners and his minor daughter"
Latest event
January 30, 2026 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, September 15, 2018
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Persecution ends
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Yelizovo
Criminal case
Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Yelizovo
Other defendants in the case
- Snezhana Bazhenova — At large, 2 years
- Vera Zolotova — At large, 2 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yelizovo
Details and sources
Full summary
Detained on August 19, 2018 and arrested on August, 21 on charges of organising activities of an extremist organisation. On 29th of August, released by decision of the court of appeal. Signed a covenant not to leave the country.
On 14 November 2019, the court returned the case to the prosecutor's office. On 9 January 2020, the court of appeal reversed the decision. On 25 September, the charge was reclassified to participation in the activities of an extremist organisation, sentenced to two years' suspended sentence. On 9 November 2021, the court of cassation instance quashed the conviction and returned the case to the court of appeal. On 18 January 2022, the appeal court issued a verdict of "not guilty". On 15 December, the verdict was overturned and the case was returned to the court of appeal. On 31 January 2023, sentenced to two years' suspended sentence.
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.