Maxim Morozov
Maxim Morozov, born 1983, Kemerovo Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Taiga”. Sentence (August 15, 2023): 3 years' deprivation of liberty in a general regime penal colony, the sentence to be considered served, 6 months'… Status: at large.
In brief
Kemerovo Oblast · Tayga · Drivers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
3 years
deprivation of liberty in a general regime penal colony, the sentence to be considered served, 6 months' restriction of freedom
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
Initially, Morozov was accused of having committed actions of an organisational nature aimed at continuing and resuming the illegal activities of the banned organisation "Administrative Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" in the form of convening meetings with the participation of residents of Taiga; using the Zoom computer programme to organise the activities of the banned religious organisation "Administrative Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" in Taiga, Kemerovo Region, by convening and holding meetings of its members; and holding meetings of the banned religious organisation "Administrative Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia". However, at one of the court hearings, the prosecutor stated that there was no evidence of actions of an "organisational nature" and the charge against Morozov was reclassified from organising the activities of an extremist organisation to participation.
Latest event
August 15, 2023 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 3 years.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №4 (SIZO-4) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Samara Oblast
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Taiga
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Taiga
Other defendants in the case
- Yuri Usanov — At large, 3 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Taiga
Details and sources
Full summary
On 6 August 2021 he was detained in Togliatti, the next day he was taken into custody on charges of organising activities of an extremist organisation. In September it became known that Morozov would be transferred to Kemerovo region. On 8 August 2023, at one of the court hearings, the prosecutor stated that there was no evidence of actions of "organisational nature", and Morozov was reclassified the charge to participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. On 15 August 2023, Morozov was sentenced to three years in a general regime penal colony, but was released from the sentence due to time served.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.