Mikhail Shevchuk
Mikhail Shevchuk, born 1986, Mordovia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Ivan Neverov's and Mikhail Shevchuk's case”. Sentence (September 19, 2025): 6.5 years' imprisonment in general regime colony. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as a political prisoner, February 22, 2023.
In brief
Mordovia · Saransk · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years 6 months
6.5 years' imprisonment in general regime colony
Upheld April 9, 2026
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 took part in religious meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses
Latest event
April 9, 2026 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial Human Rights Centre, February 22, 2023
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Mordovia
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
Ivan Neverov's and Mikhail Shevchuk's case
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Ivan Neverov's and Mikhail Shevchuk's case
- Case number
- 1-30/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Ivan Neverov — Imprisoned, 7 years
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saransk
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Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Saransk. On 14 February 2023, he was detained after a search, and on 17 February he was placed in custody on charges of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with membership in the community of Jehovah's Witnesses banned in Russia. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters. On 3 May 2023, Shevchuk was transferred to house arrest, and on 4 August 2023, the preventive measure was replaced with a ban on certain actions.
On 19 September 2025, the court sentenced him to six and a half years in a general regime colony.
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.