Mikhail Potapov
Mikhail Potapov, born 1978, Udmurtia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk”. Sentence (December 17, 2024): In absentia 6 years' imprisonment. Status: location unknown. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, August 11, 2021.
In brief
Udmurtia · Votkinsk · IT specialists · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
In absentia 6 years' imprisonment
First instance, March 25, 2024: A fine of 400 thousand roubles
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Participated in organising the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
December 17, 2024 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 6 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, August 11, 2021
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 6 years
· Preventive measure: arrest in absentia
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
The case of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk
Other defendants in the case
- Sergei Gobozev — Imprisoned, 6 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Votkinsk
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Udmurtia. On 21 January 2021, Potapov's home was searched and he was detained. The next day the court decided to place him in custody in the case of organising the activities of an extremist organisation. On 18 May, the measure of restriction was changed to a ban on certain actions. On 25 February 2024 Potapov was sentenced to a fine of 400 thousand rubles. In October 2024, the cassation court returned the case to the appellate court. On 17 December, the appellate court changed in absentia the sentence to six years' imprisonment.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.