Dmitrii Semenov
Dmitrii Semenov, born 1984, Kamchatka Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code (Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization); “Nadezhda and Dmitry Semenov's case”. Sentence (November 8, 2022): Sentence unknown. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Kamchatka Krai · Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky · Religious figures · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years
Sentence unknown
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code — Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, for four years, he and his wife "through persuasion, inclining and appeals induced a 58-year-old woman, as well as other persons" to join the banned local religious organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses. To this end, the believers "repeatedly held conversations with potential members of the organisation, including in the format of video conferences".
Latest event
November 8, 2022 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 4 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years
· Persecution begins
Nadezhda and Dmitry Semenov's case
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
Nadezhda and Dmitry Semenov's case
Other defendants in the case
- Nadezhda Semyonova — At large, 4 years
Thematic group: The case of Nadezhda and Dmitrii Semenov
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In September 2021, he was searched and a criminal case was opened against him and his wife for activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. They both signed recognisance not to leave,
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters.
In June 2022, the case of the spouses went to court. The prosecution was built on the testimony of a woman who expressed a desire to study the Bible with the Semenovs, and subsequently began to cooperate with the FSB. In November 2022, the court sentenced Dmitry and Nadezhda to a 4-year suspended sentence for talking about the Bible. The appeal left the sentence unchanged.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.