Alexander Popov
Alexander Popov, born 1987, Vladimir Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Alexander Popov's case”. Sentence (April 24, 2025): a fine of 250,000 rubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, August 30, 2023.
In brief
Vladimir Oblast · Kovrov · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 250,000 rubles
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
Accused of committing a crime under part 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of an extremist organisation) in connection with his membership in the community of Jehovah's Witnesses, which is banned in Russia. He was detained on August 23, 2023, and is under house arrest.
Latest event
April 24, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, August 30, 2023
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
Alexander Popov's case
Criminal case
Alexander Popov's case
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kovrov
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Kovrov of Vladimir region. In August 2023, his home was searched, he was detained and later sent under house arrest on charges of 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 extremist articles solely because of their religious activities — holding meetings and worship services and recruiting new supporters. In December 2023, the restrictive measure was changed to a prohibition of certain actions. On 24 April 2025, Popov was sentenced to a fine of 250,000 rubles.
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.