October 20, 2026, 11:52 AMRSSRU

Alexei Smelov

At largeChecked October 18, 2026

Alexei Smelov, born 1974, Karelia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Alexei Smelov”. Sentence (April 20, 2022): a fine of 400 thousand roubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, September 22, 2019.

In brief

Karelia · Kondopoga · Mechanics · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses

Sentence

a fine of 400 thousand roubles

Verdict April 20, 2022

No information about an appeal ruling.

Charges

Full wording of the charges

involved in the activities of an extremist organisation

Latest event

April 20, 2022 — first-instance verdict

The court delivered a guilty verdict.

Checked October 18, 2026 · no changes since October 15

Recognition by rights defenders

Timeline

  1. · First-instance verdict

    guilty verdict

  2. · Persecution ends

  3. · Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion

    Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners

  4. · Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion

    Memorial Human Rights Centre

  5. · Persecution begins

    The case of Alexei Smelov

  6. · Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)

Criminal case

The case of Alexei Smelov

There are no other defendants in this case in the database.

Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Karelia

Details and sources

Full summary

According to OVD-Info

On 31 July 2019, Smelov was searched as part of a criminal case on the activities of an extremist organisation. Personal recognizance was taken. On 21 April 2022, he was sentenced to a fine of 400 thousand rubles.

All fields of the record
Citizenship
Russia
Sources (2)

Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code

Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.

All 648 under this article →