Vladimir Skachidub
Vladimir Skachidub, born 1961, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code (Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Vladimir Skachidub's case”. Sentence (October 10, 2021): 4 years 2 months' imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony, 2 years of restricted freedom, and a 3-year ban on… Status: at large with restrictions. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, October 12, 2021; Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, December 11, 2020.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · Pavlovskaya · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 2 months
imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony, 2 years of restricted freedom, and a 3-year ban on engaging in activities related to organizing or participating in public associations or groups.
Upheld April 19, 2022
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code — Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
He participated in "religious educational sessions and sermons," during which he gave and attended lectures, held religious discussions, and discussed religious books, performing the "role of a preacher."
Latest event
September 5, 2025 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, October 12, 2021
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, December 11, 2020
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Krasnodar Krai
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years 2 months
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Vladimir Skachidub's case
Criminal case
Vladimir Skachidub's case
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Krasnodar Krai. On 23 June 2020, a case was opened against him for participating in the activities of an extremist organization in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah’s Witness community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship, and recruiting new followers. Skachidub was placed under a travel restriction order.
On 11 October 2021, he was sentenced to 4 years 2 months' imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony and was taken into custody in the courtroom.
On 5 September 2025, Skachidub was released.
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.