Alexander Salnikov
Alexander Salnikov, born 1961, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization). Sentence (August 22, 2024): 6 years' suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Chelyabinsk Oblast · Magnitogorsk · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
suspended imprisonment
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he "held meetings, acted as a liaison between members of the organization, assisted newcomers in joining the group, and helped them understand and assimilate the relevant materials."
Latest event
September 7, 2024 — imprisonment begins
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Magnitogorsk, Salnikov worked as a cold metal cutter at a slitting unit in a metallurgical plant, later becoming a foreman of fitters at a municipal enterprise.
In April 2023, his home was searched, and he was charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization due to his involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist laws solely for engaging in religious practices such as holding meetings, conducting worship services, and recruiting new members.
Salnikov was placed under a travel restriction, and on 22 August 2024, he was given a six-year suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.