Mikhail Popov
Mikhail Popov, born 1962, Kamchatka Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The third case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Vilyuchinsk”, opened on March 29, 2026. Previously convicted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code; Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code. Status: location unknown. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, September 15, 2018; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, September 15, 2018.
In brief
Kamchatka Krai · Vilyuchinsk · Musicians · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 250 thousand roubles
First instance, February 13, 2020: a fine of 350 thousand roubles
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Full wording of the charges
Participated in the organisation and involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
April 28, 2026 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, September 15, 2018
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, September 15, 2018
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Criminal case opened
The third case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Vilyuchinsk
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Persecution ends
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vilyuchinsk
Criminal case
The third case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Vilyuchinsk
Other defendants in the case
- Alexander Bondur — Location unknown
- Vera Bondur — Location unknown
- Popov Mihail — Location unknown
- Sergey Protasov — Location unknown
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vilyuchinsk
Other defendants in the case
- Elena Popova — At large
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vilyuchinsk
Details and sources
Full summary
On 30 July 2018 he was detained and on 1 August arrested on suspicion of organising and engaging in the activities of an extremist organisation. On 9 August he was released on his personal recognisance not to leave.
On 14 February 2020, he was ordered to pay a fine of 350 thousand rubles. On 19 May, the court of appeal reduced the fine to 250 thousand.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Persecution episodes
- 2
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.