Sergey Erkin
Sergey Erkin, born 1953, Magadan 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); “Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Magadan Oblast”. Sentence (March 6, 2024): 7 years suspended sentence with a probation period of 5 years, 1 year restriction of liberty, and a prohibition to… Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020.
In brief
Magadan Oblast · Magadan · Engineers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
7 years
suspended sentence with a probation period of 5 years, 1 year restriction of liberty, and a prohibition to engage in activities related to working with public religious organisations and associations
Upheld October 15, 2024
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
As a member of a local religious group operating under the control and in direct canonical subordination to the religious organization "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia", he carried out organizational actions aimed at continuing the activities of this religious organisation. These actions manifested in convening meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses followers, organizing religious speeches and worship services at those meetings, as well as promoting the activities of the banned organization.
Latest event
October 15, 2024 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, January 8, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 7 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Magadan Oblast
· Persecution begins
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Magadan Oblast
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Magadan Oblast
- Case number
- 1-12/2023 (1-220/2022;)
Other defendants in the case
- Sergey Agadjanov — At large, 3 years
- Lyubov Asatryan — At large, 3 years
- Galina Dergacheva — At large, 3 years
- Evgeny Zyablov — At large, 5 years
- Inna Kardakova — At large, 3 years
- Konstantin Petrov — At large, 7 years
- Galina Pechko — At large, 3 years
- Ivan Puida — At large, 7 years
- Viktor Revyakin — At large, 3 years
- Mikhail Solntsev — At large, 3 years
- Oksana Solntseva — At large, 3 years
- Irina Khvostova — At large, 3 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Magadan Oblast
Details and sources
Full summary
Detained on 30 May 2018 following a search, arrested on 1 June on charges of organising the activities of an extremist organisation. On 5 October, he was transferred under house arrest. Later he was released on his own recognisance. On 6 March 2024, he was sentenced to seven years suspended.
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.