Aleksei Efremov
Aleksei Efremov, born 1964, Saratov Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov”. Sentence (December 17, 2025): a fine of 600 thousand roubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, November 22, 2023.
In brief
Saratov Oblast · Saratov · Military personnel · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 600 thousand roubles
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
December 17, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, November 22, 2023
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Preventive measure: house arrest
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
- Case number
- 1-159/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Anton Bashabaev — At large
- Aleksei Vasiliev — At large
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Saratov. On 16 November 2023, a search was conducted at his place of residence. Efremov was detained and then placed under house arrest in a case of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation because of his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities, i. e. holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters.
On 11 November 2024, the preventive measure was changed to a ban on certain actions.
On 17 December 2025, the court sentenced him to a fine of 600 thousand rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.