Nikolay Kovadnev
Nikolay Kovadnev, born 1960, Khabarovsk Krai. 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 Komsomolsk-on-Amur”. Sentence (September 30, 2025): 6 years' imprisonment, suspended. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Khabarovsk Krai · Komsomolsk-on-Amur · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment, suspended
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
October 17, 2025 — imprisonment begins
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
- Case number
- 1-44/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Vasily Bondarev — At large, 2 years
- Irina Bondareva — At large, 2 years
- Marina Voitko — At large, 2 years
- Mikhail Dorofeev — At large, 6 years
- Svetlana Zharkova — At large, 2 years
- Ivan Nikitin — At large, 2 years
- Sergei Sachnev — At large, 2 years
- Ulita Sachneva — At large, 2 years
- Radion Shitov — At large, 6 years
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. On 25 May 2023, his home was searched as part of a case concerning alleged involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation, linked to his participation in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community.
Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist legislation solely for engaging in religious practices, such as holding meetings, conducting worship services, and attracting new adherents.
On 1 October 2025, the court handed Kovadnev a six-year suspended sentence.
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.