Pyotr Filiznov
Pyotr Filiznov, born 1965, Yaroslavl 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 Yaroslavl”. Sentence (October 30, 2023): 2 years 6 months' suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, August 11, 2021.
In brief
Yaroslavl Oblast · Yaroslavl · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years 6 months
suspended imprisonment
First instance, August 3, 2023: 6 years 6 months
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he held worship meetings, "including via the Internet", within the framework of which he promoted prohibited teachings. Initially charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation, the court of appeal reclassified the charge to participation in such activities.
Latest event
October 29, 2024 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, August 11, 2021
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Persecution ends
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 2 years 6 months
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yaroslavl
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yaroslavl
Other defendants in the case
- Andrey Vyushin — At large, 2 years 6 months
- Alexander Kuznetsov — At large, 2 years 6 months
- Maria Kuznetsova — At large, 2 years 6 months
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yaroslavl
Details and sources
Full summary
On 13 April 2021, Filiznov's house was searched and detained. On 15 April, the court decided to send him to custody as part of the case on the activities of an extremist organisation. On 14 July the preventive measure was changed to a ban on certain actions. 3 August 2023 sentenced to six and a half years suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.