Igor Popov
Igor Popov, born 1965, Ulyanovsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code (Organizing the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dimitrovgrad”. Status: under house arrest.
In brief
Ulyanovsk Oblast · Dimitrovgrad · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: house arrest since February 5, 2026
Charges
- Article 282.2 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code — Organizing the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
February 11, 2026 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dimitrovgrad
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dimitrovgrad
Other defendants in the case
- Igor Balashov — Under house arrest
- Aleksandr Elizarov — Imprisoned
- Irina Elizarova — Imprisoned
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Dimitrovgrad (Ulianovsk region). On 3 February 2026 he was visited to be checked. According to the resource "Jehovah's Witnesses. Legal situation in Russia", Popov's wife was knocked down, and he himself was thrown face down on the floor and was hit several times. After the search, he was taken to the FSB office where, according to Popov, he was beaten while handcuffed with his hands behind his back, then stripped and electrocuted, forcing him to sign pre-prepared self-incriminating statements and agree to "cooperate" with the investigation. On February 5, Popov was placed under the house arrest after being accused in involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation, namely the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under the extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters.
On 6 February 2026, Popov was hospitalised and placed in the surgical department.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.