Ivan Neverov
Ivan Neverov, born 1986, Mordovia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Ivan Neverov's and Mikhail Shevchuk's case”. Sentence (September 19, 2025): 7 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as a political prisoner, February 22, 2023.
In brief
Mordovia · Saransk · Construction workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
7 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony
Upheld April 9, 2026
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 religious meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses
Latest event
April 9, 2026 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial Human Rights Centre, February 22, 2023
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 7 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Mordovia
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
Ivan Neverov's and Mikhail Shevchuk's case
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Ivan Neverov's and Mikhail Shevchuk's case
- Case number
- 1-30/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Mikhail Shevchuk — Imprisoned, 6 years 6 months
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
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Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Saransk. On 14 February 2023, he was detained following a search, and on 17 February he was placed in custody on charges of organising the activities of an extremist organisation, on account of his membership in the community of Jehovah's Witnesses, which is banned in Russia. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely due to their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services, and recruiting new supporters. On 3 May 2023, Neverov was transferred under house arrest, on 4 August 2023 the preventive measure was replaced with a prohibition of certain actions.
On 19 September 2025, the court sentenced him to 7 years in a general regime penal colony.
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.