Sergei Gobozev
Sergei Gobozev, born 1957, Udmurtia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk”. Sentence (December 17, 2024): 6 years' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since January 21, 2021; place of detention: Penal colony No. 5, Kirov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, August 11, 2021.
In brief
Udmurtia · Votkinsk · Lawyers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general regime colony
First instance, March 25, 2024: a fine of 450,000 rubles (≈US$4850 as of 03/25/24)
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Participated in organising the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
December 17, 2024 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 6 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, August 11, 2021
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 6 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk
Other defendants in the case
- Mikhail Potapov — Location unknown, 6 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 5, Kirov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
613040, Кировская область, г. Кирово-Чепецк, ул. Овражная, 16, ФКУ «ИК № 5 УФСИН России по Кировской области», Гобозев Сергей Борисович, 1957 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Votkinsk (the Udmurtia Republic). On January 21, 2021, Gobozev's home was searched and he was detained at the hospital where he had taken his wife for an appointment. The following day, the court placed him under house arrest on charges of organising the activities of an extremist organisation, in connection with his involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist legislation solely for their religious activities: holding meetings, conducting worship services, and recruiting new supporters. On May 18, the restrictive measure was changed to a prohibition of certain actions. On March 25, 2024, Gobozev was sentenced to a fine of 450,000 rubles (≈US$4850 as of 03/25/24). In October 2024, the court of cassation ordered the case to be returned to the court of appeal. On December 17, the court of appeal commuted the sentence to imprisonment of six years.
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.