Sergey Starikov
Sergey Starikov, born 1976, Tatarstan. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Naberezhnye Chelny”. Sentenced on April 30, 2026. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Tatarstan · Naberezhnye Chelny · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
Suspended prison sentence
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
April 30, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 6 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Naberezhnye Chelny
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Naberezhnye Chelny
- Case number
- 1-1164/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Robert Ishberdin — At large, 6 years
- Pavel Kupreev — Location unknown
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Naberezhnye Chelny. Worked as a turner, then engaged in decoration of flats. On 24 June 2024, his home was searched. On 18 April 2025, he was interrogated as a defendant in a case of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Starikov was given a recognisance not to leave the country.
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
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.