Sergei Skudaev
Sergei Skudaev, born 1978, Kurgan Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Sergei Skudaev's case”. Sentence (April 3, 2025): Fine of 790,000 rubles, reduced to 650,000 rubles due to the chosen measure of restriction. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, August 11, 2021.
In brief
Kurgan Oblast · Kurgan · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
Fine of 790,000 rubles, reduced to 650,000 rubles due to the chosen measure of restriction
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Skudaev reportedly conducted religious meetings, including through videoconferencing using the Zoom platform.
Latest event
April 3, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, August 11, 2021
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· 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 Kurgan Oblast
· Persecution begins
Sergei Skudaev's case
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Sergei Skudaev's case
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Kurgan, Russia. On 14 June 2021, Skudaev's home was searched, and he was detained. The next day, the court ordered him into custody as part of a case concerning the activities of an extremist organisation, in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist charged solely because of their religious activities — holding meetings, conducting worship services and attracting new supporters. On 19 November, the court ordered a measure of restraint on Skudaev in the form of a ban on certain actions. On 3 April 2025, he was sentenced to a fine of 790,000 rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.