Vladimir Kolesnikov
Vladimir Kolesnikov, born 1946, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki”. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Religious figures · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: ban on certain activities since February 16, 2022
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, in the period from 31 July 2020 to 4 July 2021, the believers "took active actions of an organisational nature, aimed at continuing... the activities... of the Jehovah's Witnesses organisation of Vyselki village, expressed in the convening, opening and closing of meetings, organisation of religious speeches and worship services... coordination of meetings, proposals of topics for discussion, other preaching activities". They are charged with part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. According to the investigation, in the period from July 31, 2020, to July 4, 2021, the believers "were undertaking active organizational actions with the intent to perpetuate the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization in Vyselki village. These actions included the initiation, commencement, and conclusion of meetings, the orchestration of religious speeches and worship services, as well as coordination of meetings, presentation of discussion topics, and engagement in various preaching activities." They face charges under part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Latest event
February 22, 2022 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
- Case number
- 1-4/2025 (1-9/2024; 1-96/2023;)
Other defendants in the case
- Evgeny Bochko — Location unknown
- Valery Vechkaev — At large
- Vitaly Ushakov — At large
- Alexey Shubnikov — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
Vladimir, born in March 1946 in Lviv, Ukraine, has a younger sister and brother. During his childhood, he developed a passion for sports, successfully participating in running competitions.
Between 1956 and 1968, Vladimir pursued his education, attending the Orenburg Suvorov School and later studying in Kazan. He eventually graduated from Yeysk Aviation School, earning a diploma of higher education. In 1968, he began his service in Zabaykalsky Krai and retired as a captain in 1976. Subsequently, he worked for eight years at a northern mine and currently relies on his retirement pension, facing challenges due to an illness that has restricted his activities.
Vladimir has resided in various cities, including Uralsk, Orenburg, Kazan, Yeisk, Magadan, Salsk, and Mosty (Belarus).
In 1979, he married Zinaida, who was raising a daughter. Later, a son and another daughter were born to the couple. Zinaida, employed in the trade sector and cleaning, faced health challenges, prompting the couple to move to Vyselki in the Krasnodar Krai, where Vladimir still resides. In his leisure time, he enjoys walking, tending to his vegetable garden, and caring for his pet parrot.
Since 1995, Vladimir has been a member of Jehovah's Witnesses.
In 2020, he experienced the loss of his beloved wife, and in 2022, he found himself facing criminal prosecution due to his religious beliefs.
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.