Evgenii Plotnikov
Evgenii Plotnikov, born 1982, Mari El. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yoshkar-Ola”. Sentence (February 13, 2025): a fine of 600,000 roubles, due to time spent in detention the penalty was reduced to a fine of 500,000 roubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, October 18, 2022.
In brief
Mari El · Yoshkar-Ola · Security guards · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 600,000 roubles, due to time spent in detention the penalty was reduced to a fine of 500,000 roubles
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
According to the investigation, he "continued the activities of the religious organisation.... by convening meetings of followers of the religious beliefs (doctrine) of Jehovah's Witnesses and directly participating in them".
Latest event
February 13, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, October 18, 2022
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yoshkar-Ola
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Mari El
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yoshkar-Ola
Other defendants in the case
- Igor Alekseev — At large
- Ilya Buryi — At large
- Ilya Kapitonov — At large
- Eduard Kapitonov — At large
- Alexei Kulikov — At large
- Sergey Kulikov — At large
- Sergey Naimushin — At large
- Denis Petrov — At large
- Vladimir Usenko — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Yoshkar-Ola. On 15 April 2022, his home was searched as part of a case on the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. A website dedicated to the persecution of believers in Russia reports that force was used against Plotnikov. He was detained after a search, and a court placed him in custody on April 17. On 12 August 2022, Plotnikov was transferred to house arrest. On 7 October, the preventive measure was replaced by a ban on certain actions.
Representatives of the Jehovah's Witnesses community are prosecuted under extremism-related charges solely in connection with their religious activities: holding meetings and worship services, attracting new followers.
On 13 February 2025, Plotnikov was sentenced to a fine of 600 thousand rubles, but the amount was reduced to 500 thousand rubles, taking into account the time he had already spent in custody.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.