Aleksandr Kostiuk
Aleksandr Kostiuk, born 1972, Tver Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tver”. Sentence (February 13, 2026): 6 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Tver Oblast · Tver · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony
No information about an appeal ruling.
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, he continued to carry out extremist activities by holding face-to-face and online meetings (videoconferences).
Latest event
February 13, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 6 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Tver Oblast
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tver
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tver
Other defendants in the case
- Maksim Barbaziuk — Imprisoned, 6 years
- Valerii Tolmazov — Imprisoned, 6 years
Write a letter
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
170100, Тверская область, г. Тверь, ул. Вагжанова, 141, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Тверской области, Костюк Александр Николаевич, 1972 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Tver, a disinfector by trade. On 24 July 2023, a search was conducted at his home as part of a case of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely on the basis of their religious activities, such as holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters. Kostiuk was given a recognisance not to abscond the country. On 13 February 2026, he was sentenced to six years in a general regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- pre-trial detention
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.