Sergei Efremov
Sergei Efremov, born 1995, Saratov Oblast. 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 the Saratov region”. Status: under house arrest. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner.
In brief
Saratov Oblast · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: house arrest since September 5, 2025
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, the accused and other believers "resumed and organised in Saratov the activities of a local religious unit, which consisted of convening meetings and conducting preaching activities".
Latest event
September 9, 2025 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Saratov region
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Saratov region
Other defendants in the case
- Aleksander Akelin — Under house arrest
- Alexei Kazakov — Under house arrest
- Filipp Ombysh — Under house arrest
- Mikhail Proshenkov — Under house arrest
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the Saratov region. In early September 2025 he was detained in a case of participation in the activities of an extremist organization in connection with involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. On 5 September, the court put him under house arrest.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities — holding meetings and worship services, as well as attracting new supporters.
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.