Rustam Diarov
Rustam Diarov, born 1973, Astrakhan Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.3 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code (Financing extremist activities); “The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Astrakhan”. Sentence (October 24, 2021): 8 years’ imprisonment in a general regime colony and a 1-year restriction of freedom. Status: not in Russia. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as a political prisoner, October 26, 2021.
In brief
Astrakhan Oblast · Astrakhan · Journalists · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
8 years
imprisonment in a general regime colony and a 1-year restriction of freedom
Upheld December 21, 2022
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.3 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code — Financing extremist activities
Full wording of the charges
He was involved in organising and financing the activities of an extremist organisation.
Latest event
February 17, 2026 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial Human Rights Centre, October 26, 2021
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 8 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Astrakhan
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Astrakhan
Other defendants in the case
- Evgenii Ivanov — Imprisoned, 8 years
- Olga Ivanova — At large with restrictions, 3 years
- Sergei Klikunov — Imprisoned, 8 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Astrakhan
Details and sources
Full summary
He was detained after a search on 9 June 2020 and taken into custody by court order on 11 June. He was charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship services and attracting new supporters. Later, Diarov was also charged with financing extremist activities.
On 25 October 2021, he was sentenced to eight years in a general regime colony. On 22 December 2022, the cassation court expanded the sentence with a ban on travelling outside Astrakhan.
In 2025, he was deprived of Russian citizenship (acquired in 2007) at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On 17 February 2026, the court gave Diarov early release from punishment, and on the night of 18 February he was deported from Russia to Uzbekistan.
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.