Mikhail Reshetnikov
Mikhail Reshetnikov, born 1949, Altai Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Barnaul”. Sentence (May 13, 2024): 2 years and 3 months of a suspended sentence. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Altai Krai · Barnaul · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years 3 months
2 years and 3 months of a suspended sentence
Upheld July 19, 2024
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, "he carried out activities to support the existence of a local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses "Barnaul", including by organization of talks... as well as direct participation in events held by the representatives of this organization".
Latest event
July 19, 2024 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 3 months
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Barnaul
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Barnaul
Other defendants in the case
- Yuri Kolotinsky — At large, 2 years 3 months
- Anatoly Sarychev — At large, 2 years 3 months
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Barnaul
Details and sources
Full summary
In May 2021, mass search and seizure procedures took place in Barnaul and surrounding towns in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses, including Reshetnikov's. The law enforcers searched the believer's flat, seizing his wedding cards, electronic devices and personal notes.
After the search, the investigator interrogated him in a FSB (Federal Security Service) building and released him on his own recognizance.
In December 2022, the criminal case went to court. On 13 May 2024 Reshetnikov was given two years and three months of a suspended sentence.
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.