Andrei Shurygin
Andrei Shurygin, born 1976, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Andrei Shurygin's case”. Sentence (August 5, 2025): 5 years' imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony, followed by 10 months' restriction of liberty. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since May 12, 2025; place of detention: Penal colony No. 13, Sverdlovsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Chelyabinsk Oblast · Chelyabinsk · Mechanics · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
5 years
imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony, followed by 10 months' restriction of liberty
First instance, May 12, 2025: 5 years 6 months
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, Andrei “organised the promotion of the activities of the said banned organisation by instructing followers of the Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings to carry out preaching work among residents of Chelyabinsk, with the aim of involving citizens in the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ religious doctrine and persuading them of its correctness and unquestionable truth.”
Latest event
August 5, 2025 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 5 years.
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 · 5 years
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №3 (SIZO-3) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Chelyabinsk Oblast
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
Andrei Shurygin's case
Criminal case
Andrei Shurygin's case
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Chelyabinsk
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 13, Sverdlovsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
622013, Свердловская область, г. Нижний Тагил, ул. Кулибина д. 61, ФКУ «ИК № 13 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области»«Красная утка», Шурыгин Андрей Павлович, 1976 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Andrei Shurygin is a resident of Chelyabinsk. In June 2023, his home was searched as part of a case concerning the organisation of the activities of an extremist organisation due to his alleged involvement with the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under Russia’s anti-extremism laws solely for their religious activities — holding meetings, conducting worship services, and attracting new followers.
Shurygin was released under an undertaking not to leave the place of residence. On May 12, 2025, he was sentenced to 5.5 years in a general-regime penal colony. On August 5, 2025, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to 5 years.
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.