Miroslav Sabodash
Miroslav Sabodash, born 1979, Leningrad Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kingisepp”. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Leningrad Oblast · Kingisepp · Manual workers, Mechanics · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: ban on certain activities since March 24, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
At the end of February 2023, there were 7 searches conducted in the towns of Kingisepp and Slantsy (Leningrad region). The Investigative Committee initiated criminal proceedings against Kirill Khabrik, Igor Zhmyryov and other unidentified persons on extremism charges. Charges were also brought against Sergei Ryabokon, Andrei Morozov and Yevgeniy Poveshchenko. The latter was restrained from leaving the town while the others were remanded in custody. At the end of March, there were new searches conducted in Kingisepp. Eleven church members were interrogated. Five more people became defendants in the criminal case - Miroslav Sabodash, Igor Shevlyuga, Tatyana Stepanova, Alexander Vaganov and Konstantsiya Vovk. They were placed in a temporary detention centre but were soon released while Shevlyuga spent 26 days in a pre-trial detention centre. All five are restrained from certain actions by the court.
Latest event
October 29, 2025 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Persecution begins
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kingisepp
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kingisepp
- Case number
- 12302410007000017
Other defendants in the case
- Alexander Vaganov — At large
- Konstancia Vovk — At large
- Igor Zhmyrev — Imprisoned
- Andrey Morozov — Imprisoned
- Evgeniy Poveshenko — At large
- Sergey Ryabokon — Imprisoned
- Tatiana Stepanova — At large
- Kirill Khabrick — At large
- Igor Shevlyuga — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Leningrad Region. Worked as a waiter, baker, sheet bending machine operator and repairman at a chemical production facility. On 22 March 2023, Sabodash's apartment was searched and he was arrested. On 24 March, the court restricted Sabodash from certain actions on charges of being involved with an extremist organisation.
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.