Igor Smolnikov
Igor Smolnikov, born 1970, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Ozersk”. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Chelyabinsk Oblast · NULL · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking) since December 15, 2025
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
December 15, 2025 — preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №4 (SIZO-4) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Chelyabinsk Oblast
· Persecution begins
Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Ozersk
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Ozersk
Other defendants in the case
- Oleg Preobrazhensky — At large
- Artem Repin — At large
- Evgeni Cherepanov — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Ozersk (Chelyabinsk region). On 17 January 2025, he was detained after a search, allegedly with the use of force, as part of a case on the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. The next day Smolnikov was taken into custody. In April 2025, he was transferred to house arrest. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters.
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.