Eduard Petrushin
Eduard Petrushin, Kaluga Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kaluga”. Sentence (March 13, 2026): 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, December 11, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, April 5, 2020.
In brief
Kaluga Oblast · Kaluga · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
3 years
5 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general regime colony
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
involved in the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
March 13, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 3 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, December 11, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, April 5, 2020
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kaluga
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kaluga
- Case number
- 1-135/2025 (1-1013/2024;)
Other defendants in the case
- Kuzin Dmitrii — Imprisoned, 6 years 6 months
- Roman Makhnev — Imprisoned, 6 years 6 months
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kaluga
Write a letter
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
248002, г. Калуга, ул. Николо-Козинская, д. 110А, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Калужской области, Петрушин Эдуард Михайлович, 1965 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Kaluga. In June 2019, a case was opened against him for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to his involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremism charges solely because of religious activities - holding meetings and worship services, recruiting new supporters. On 13 March 2026 Petrushin was sentenced to three years in a general regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- pre-trial detention
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.