Andrey Shchepin
Andrey Shchepin, born 1991, Kirov Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The second Kirov case of Jehovah's Witnesses”. Sentence (July 18, 2021): a fine of 500 thousand roubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, May 30, 2019.
In brief
Kirov Oblast · Kirov · Engineers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 500 thousand roubles
Upheld June 16, 2022
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
From January to November 2018, he repeatedly organised mass meetings of believers, attracted new participants to the organisation, and studied Jehovah's Witnesses literature deemed extremist
Latest event
June 16, 2022 — cassation
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, May 30, 2019
Timeline
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· Persecution ends
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Persecution begins
The second Kirov case of Jehovah's Witnesses
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The second Kirov case of Jehovah's Witnesses
Other defendants in the case
- Evgeny Udintsev — At large
- Alexander Shamov — At large
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kirov
Details and sources
Full summary
Detained on 26 March 2019 on charges of involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation. Two days later, the court elected a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions. Charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation and financing extremist activities, the second charge was later dropped. On 19 July 2021, sentenced to a fine of 500 thousand rubles.
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.