Mikhail Dorofeev
Mikhail Dorofeev, born 1965, Khabarovsk Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur”. Sentence (September 30, 2025): A suspended sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Khabarovsk Krai · Komsomolsk-on-Amur · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
A suspended sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
October 17, 2025 — imprisonment begins
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
- Case number
- 1-44/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Vasily Bondarev — At large, 2 years
- Irina Bondareva — At large, 2 years
- Marina Voitko — At large, 2 years
- Svetlana Zharkova — At large, 2 years
- Nikolay Kovadnev — At large, 6 years
- Ivan Nikitin — At large, 2 years
- Sergei Sachnev — At large, 2 years
- Ulita Sachneva — At large, 2 years
- Radion Shitov — At large, 6 years
Details and sources
Full summary
He is a resident of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. On 25 May 2023, his home was searched as part of a case of involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation for his involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely on the basis of their religious activities: holding meetings and worship services, as well as attracting new supporters.
In August 2024, Dorofeev was charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation. On 1 October 2025, the court gave him a six-year suspended sentence.
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.