Nikolay Merinov
Nikolay Merinov, born 1997, Irkutsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Case of Nikolai Merinov on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities”. Status: not in Russia. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Irkutsk Oblast · Irkutsk · Service workers · 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
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he participated in the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Latest event
October 4, 2021 — persecution begins
Case of Nikolai Merinov on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Criminal case
Case of Nikolai Merinov on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Irkutsk
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Irkutsk. On 4 October 2021, his house was searched. When the law enforcers broke into his house, they hit him in the face with a heavy object so that the man fell down and lost consciousness. They continued beating him, breaking his teeth. His wife Lilia was dragged out of bed by her hair, handcuffed and beaten. Merinov tried to have a criminal case opened in connection with the beating, but was unsuccessful. He left Russia in July 2022. Merinov was initially tried in a criminal case on the activities of an extremist organisation as a witness, but later he was accused in absentia of organising the activities.
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.