Anatolii Chepkasov
Anatolii Chepkasov, born 1984, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region”. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · Nizhny Novgorod · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: pre-trial detention since March 17, 2026
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Details of the prosecution are unknown
Latest event
March 17, 2026 — preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
· Persecution begins
The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Criminal case
The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Other defendants in the case
- Sergei Verkhoturov — At large
- Maxim Kalinin — Imprisoned
- Evgeny Konkov — Imprisoned
Write a letter
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
603098 г. Нижний Новгород, проспект Гагарина, дом 26 «а», ФКУ СИЗО-1 ГУФСИН России по Нижегородской области, Чепкасов Анатолий Викторович, 1984 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region, he was subjected to a search on 17 March 2026 in connection with a criminal case concerning participation in the activities of an extremist organisation, due to his alleged involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist charges solely for their religious activities—such as holding meetings, conducting worship services, and attracting new members.
On the same day, Chepkasov was remanded in custody.
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.