Victor Lapitsky
Victor Lapitsky, born 1956, Saint Petersburg. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Viktor Lapitsky on organising activities of an extremist organisation”. Sentenced on December 30, 2025. Status: deceased. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, October 30, 2023.
In brief
Saint Petersburg · Saint Petersburg · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
Case dismissed
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
The case was initiated because of the alleged organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses community activities.
Latest event
December 30, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court dismissed the case.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, October 30, 2023
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
case dismissed
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Viktor Lapitsky on organising activities of an extremist organisation
Criminal case
The case of Viktor Lapitsky on organising activities of an extremist organisation
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of St. Petersburg. On 8 June 2023, a criminal case was initiated against Lapitsky for organising activities of an extremist organisation because of his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. In September 2023, the believer was detained, he stayed in a pre-trial detention cell for 24 hours. The court placed him under a house arrest.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles on the basis of solely religious activities: holding meetings and worship services, attracting new supporters.
In November 2024, it was reported that Lapitsky died.
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.