Maxim Kalinin
Maxim Kalinin, born 1979, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region”. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · Nizhny Novgorod · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: pre-trial detention since March 17, 2026
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Details of the charges are unknown
Latest event
March 17, 2026 — preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
· Persecution begins
The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Criminal case
The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Other defendants in the case
- Sergei Verkhoturov — At large
- Evgeny Konkov — Imprisoned
- Anatolii Chepkasov — Imprisoned
Write a letter
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
603098 г. Нижний Новгород, проспект Гагарина, дом 26 «а», ФКУ СИЗО-1 ГУФСИН России по Нижегородской области, Калинин Максим Николаевич, 1979 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region. On 17 March 2026, his residence was searched in connection to a case of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. Kalinin was accused of being involved in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Members of this community are being prosecuted under extremist articles due to their religious activities alone, i.e., holding meetings and worship services as well as attracting new supporters.
On the same day, Kalinin was taken into custody.
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.