Vladimir Lepskiy
Vladimir Lepskiy, born 1966, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Vladimir Lepskiy's case”. Sentence (October 24, 2025): 2 years of suspended imprisonment with restriction of liberty for 6 months. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
of suspended imprisonment with restriction of liberty for 6 months
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he "read aloud to other participants religious books of Jehovah's Witnesses, emphasising that the said books contained true knowledge of God".
Latest event
October 24, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Vladimir Lepskiy's case
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
Vladimir Lepskiy's case
- Case number
- 1-46/2025 (1-176/2024;)
Thematic group: The third case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Vyselki (Krasnodar krai). On 28 March 2024, criminal proceedings were initiated against him for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Lepsky was given a recognisance not to leave the country.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: holding meetings and worship services, and attracting new supporters.
On 24 October 2025, the court sentenced him to two years of suspended imprisonment.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.