Viktor Mania
Viktor Mania, born 1957, Occupied territory of Republic of Crimea. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Financing of extremist activities); “The case of four Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crimea”. Status: location unknown. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Occupied territory of Republic of Crimea · Simferopol · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Financing of extremist activities
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, "engaged in active organisational actions, expressed in the organisation of propaganda meetings at which discussions of the texts and religious provisions of the Jehovah’s Witnesses were held.”
Latest event
December 8, 2023 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of four Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crimea
Criminal case
The case of four Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crimea
Other defendants in the case
- Ivan Efanov — Location unknown
- Mark Liakh — Location unknown
- Saleh Mamedov — Location unknown
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Crimea. On 8 December 2022, his home was searched. In May 2023, Mania was charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremism articles solely for their religious activity - holding meetings and worship services, and attracting new members.
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.