Yevgeny Stephanidin
Yevgeny Stephanidin, born 1989, Udmurtia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Jehovah's Witnesses' second case in Izhevsk”. Sentence (February 4, 2025): 6 years' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since February 5, 2025; place of detention: Penal colony No. 29, Perm Krai. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Udmurtia · Izhevsk · Entrepreneurs · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general regime colony
First instance, October 25, 2024: 6 years
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he "organised the convening and holding of religious meetings... carried out the homiletic activity".
Latest event
February 4, 2025 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 6 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 6 years
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Persecution begins
Jehovah's Witnesses' second case in Izhevsk
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
Jehovah's Witnesses' second case in Izhevsk
Other defendants in the case
- Alexander Votyakov — Imprisoned, 6 years 6 months
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 29, Perm Krai
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
614056, Пермский край, г. Пермь, ул. Соликамская, д. 246, ФКУ «ИК № 29 ГУФСИН России по Пермскому краю», Стефанидин Евгений Сергеевич, 1989 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Izhevsk. On 14 December 2022, his home was searched as part of a case of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters. Stefanidin was given a covenant not to leave the country. On 25 October 2024, he was sentenced to a six-year suspended sentence. On 4 February 2025, the court of appeal replaced the suspended sentence with a real one.
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.