Aleksei Kuznetsov
Aleksei Kuznetsov, born 1975, 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 the Tver region”. Sentence (March 27, 2025): 6 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, 1 year of restriction of liberty, and a prohibition on engaging… Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since March 27, 2025; place of detention: Penal colony No. 6, Tula Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Tver Oblast · Konakovo · Engineers, Teachers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, 1 year of restriction of liberty, and a prohibition on engaging in activities related to the publication of appeals and other materials in public information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, for a period of 3 years.
Upheld October 2, 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, together with his fellow believers from Konakovo, he “discussed the Bible via video communication using Zoom videoconferences, and also spoke about biblical teachings to residents of the Konakovo District.”
Latest event
October 2, 2025 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· 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
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Tver region
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Tver region
- Case number
- 12107280001075037
Other defendants in the case
- Oleg Katamov — Imprisoned, 6 years
- Alexandr Starikov — Imprisoned, 6 years
- Aleksandr Shchetinin — Imprisoned, 6 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tverskoy District
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 6, Tula Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
301654, Тульская область, г. Новомосковск, ул. Центральная, 27, ФКУ «ИК № 6 УФСИН России по Тульской области», Кузнецов Алексей Владимирович, 1975 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the Tver Region, he worked as an engineer and lecturer. On 6 July 2021, his home was searched. A criminal case was initiated against him for organising the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the community of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for their religious activity -- organising meetings and worship services, and involving new adherents. On 27 March 2025, Kuznetsov was sentenced to six years of imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.
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.