Viktor Chernov
Viktor Chernov, born 1963, Primorsky Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Viktor Chernov on the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses' activities”. Sentenced on May 21, 2026. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Primorsky Krai · village of Tavrichanka · Entrepreneurs · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
3 years
Suspended prison 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
According to the investigation, he conducted prohibited meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses via the Internet.
Latest event
May 21, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 3 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Viktor Chernov on the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses' activities
Criminal case
The case of Viktor Chernov on the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses' activities
- Case number
- 1-23/2026 (1-103/2025;)
Details and sources
Full summary
The law enforcers started operational-search activities (audio recordings of worship services) against Viktor Chernov and other Jehovah's Witnesses back in December 2018.
On 18 November 2022, Viktor's home is searched, on 19 November he comes to the IC on a summons, he is detained and taken to the TDF of Artyom. Victor's son is also questioned.
On 20 November, the court chose a measure of restraint in the form of house arrest, under which he was kept until March 2023, after which the measure was changed to a ban on certain actions. Chernov was included in the register of extremists and terrorists of Rosfinmonitoring, in June 2023, the believer was placed on a recognisance not to leave.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.