Dmitrii Chausov
Dmitrii Chausov, born 1988, Kursk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kursk”. Sentence (May 26, 2025): 1 year 10 months' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: location unknown. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Kursk Oblast · Kursk · Mechanics · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
1 year 10 months
imprisonment in a general regime colony
First instance, December 2, 2024: 2 years 6 months
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 participated in meetings of the banned community of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Latest event
November 26, 2025 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 1 year 10 months
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Kursk Oblast
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kursk
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Kursk Oblast
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kursk
Other defendants in the case
- Nikolay Kupriyansky — Imprisoned, 4 years 6 months
- Oksana Chausova — At large, 1 year 10 months
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kursk
Details and sources
Full summary
Dmitrii Chausov is a resident of Kursk. A criminal case was opened against him and two other people due to their involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Chausov was accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organisation. On 8 August 2023, he was detained after being searched, and on 10 August the court put him on remand. On 28 February 2024, this measure was changed to house arrest.
On 2 December 2024, Chausov was sentenced to two and a half years in a general regime colony. On 26 May 2025, on appeal, his sentence was reduced by two months. Chausov was released from custody in the courtroom, as he had served his sentence while in the pre-trial detention centre.
The representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely on the grounds of their religious activities — holding meetings and worship services, and attracting new supporters.
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.