Sergei Lukin
Sergei Lukin, born 1971, Altai Krai. Charges: Article 280 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public calls for extremism (using mass media or the internet)); Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code (Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization); “Sergei Lukin's case”. Sentence (March 13, 2025): 4 years 6 months' compulsory labor. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Altai Krai · Biysk · Entrepreneurs · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 6 months
compulsory labor
First instance, December 11, 2024: 4 years 6 months
Charges
- Article 280 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Public calls for extremism (using mass media or the internet)
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code — Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, Lukin conducted studies of Jehovah's Witnesses religious teachings, gave comments and expressed his point of view on the issues being discussed.
Latest event
March 13, 2025 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 4 years 6 months.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 4 years 6 months
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years 6 months
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Sergei Lukin's case
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
Sergei Lukin's case
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Biysk (Altai Territory). Has been involved in business, managing production, trading and construction enterprises. Now he owns a fish nursery where he breeds valuable breeds of fish. On 25 January 2023 he was searched on charges of participation and involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation due to involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Lukin was released on his own recognisance. On 11 December 2024, he was sentenced to four and a half years' suspended sentence. On 13 March 2025, the appeal court replaced the suspended sentence with compulsory labour.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 280 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.