Andrei Shiyan
Andrei Shiyan, born 1969, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk”. Sentenced on March 19, 2026. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnoyarsk Krai · Lesosibirsk · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years 1 month
Fine
First instance, April 29, 2025: 6 years 1 month
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, from July 17, 2017, to November 19, 2021, Shiyan, being aware of the liquidation of the Jehovah's Witnesses community, held religious meetings and "promoted the activities" of the banned organization.
Latest event
March 19, 2026 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 6 years 1 month.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 6 years 1 month
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 1 month
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk
Criminal case
The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk
Other defendants in the case
- Anna Matveeva — At large
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Lesosibirsk, in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region. In November 2021, a series of searches were carried out in Lesosibirsk as part of a case against Valery Shits — during which FSB officers also searched the home of Andrei Shiyan. In April 2023, Shiyan was subjected to a second search. Paramedics were called to assist him twice.
He was charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation due to his alleged involvement in the local community of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Members of the group are prosecuted under extremism laws solely for practising their faith — including holding meetings, worship services, and engaging new followers.
On 30 January 2024, Shiyan’s case was separated into a standalone proceeding. On 11 April, another search was carried out at his home. On 29 April 2025, he was sentenced to six years and one month in a general-regime penal colony.
A month later, due to his severe diabetes, the court modified his pre-trial restrictions, placing him under a travel ban instead of imprisonment.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.