Sergei Kuznetsov
Sergei Kuznetsov, born 1959, Stavropol Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Sergei Kuznetsov's case”. Sentence (April 18, 2023): 6 years' suspended imprisonment, a 3 years' ban on holding managerial positions, and a 1 year's restriction of liberty. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, December 11, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, April 5, 2020.
In brief
Stavropol Krai · Nevinnomyssk · Unemployed · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
suspended imprisonment, a 3 years' ban on holding managerial positions, and a 1 year's restriction of liberty
Upheld June 21, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Allegedly Kuznetsov is Involved in organising the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
June 21, 2023 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, December 11, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, April 5, 2020
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
Sergei Kuznetsov's case
Criminal case
Sergei Kuznetsov's case
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nevinnomyssk
Details and sources
Full summary
In 1990, due to his deteriorating health, he moved with his family to Vladikavkaz, and afterwards to Neftekumsk. In 1996 he underwent another operation in Stavropol. Since 2006 he has been living in Nevinnomyssk, there his two daughters help to provide their father with proper care. Kuznetsov is a disabled person of the first group. Practically deprived of vision, he also has hearing problems and difficulty moving around. On 21 November 2018, a search was conducted at Kuznetsov's home. On 12 December 2019, a case was opened against him for organising the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of religious activities, such as holding meetings and worship services, and engaging new supporters. On 18 April 2023, Kuznetsov was sentenced to 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.