Evgeny Bochko
Evgeny Bochko, born 1975, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki”. Status: location unknown. Recognition: OVD-Info — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, June 16, 2023; Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Religious figures · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in the period from July 31, 2020, to July 4, 2021, the believers "were undertaking active organizational actions with the intent to perpetuate the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization in Vyselki village. These actions included the initiation, commencement, and conclusion of meetings, the orchestration of religious speeches and worship services, as well as coordination of meetings, presentation of discussion topics, and engagement in various preaching activities." They face charges under part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Latest event
June 16, 2023 — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
OVD-Info
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — OVD-Info, June 16, 2023
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
OVD-Info
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
- Case number
- 1-4/2025 (1-9/2024; 1-96/2023;)
Other defendants in the case
- Valery Vechkaev — At large
- Vladimir Kolesnikov — At large
- Vitaly Ushakov — At large
- Alexey Shubnikov — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
Evgeny was born in April 1975 in the Novoberezansky settlement in Krasnodar Krai. He is the sole child in his family, raised by his mother.
During his childhood, Evgeny developed a keen interest in studying insects and collecting stamps. He enjoyed replicating experiments from physics and chemistry lessons at home and examining objects under a microscope. In high school, his focus shifted to electronics, and he even constructed a random number generator.
In 1996, Evgeny successfully completed his education at Krasnodar Machine-Building College. Following this, he pursued a career as an electrician and later as an engineer specializing in the maintenance of gas equipment instrumentation and control. He is currently not employed, due to health reasons.
Evgeny embraced the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1998. In 2009, he got married.
However, in February 2022, Evgeny Bochko found himself implicated in a criminal case of extremism solely based on his faith in Jehovah God. Law enforcement conducted a search and seizure, triggering a severe health episode related to his chronic illness (Evgeny is now disabled).
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.