Alexei Kazakov
Alexei Kazakov, born 1969, 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 · Construction workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: house arrest since September 25, 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 defendant and other believers “resumed and organised the activities of a local religious movement in Saratov by convening meetings and carrying out preaching activities”.
Latest event
September 25, 2025 — preventive measure: house arrest
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Saratov Oblast
· 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
- Sergei Efremov — Under house arrest
- Filipp Ombysh — Under house arrest
- Mikhail Proshenkov — Under house arrest
Details and sources
Full summary
He is a resident of the Saratov region. In early September of 2025, he was detained in a case of participation in an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. On 5 September, the court ordered that he be taken into custody. On 25 September, he was placed under house arrest.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted for extremism 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.