Andrei Stupnikov
Andrei Stupnikov, born 1973, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Andrei Stupnikov's case”. Sentence (June 2, 2021): 6 years' imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony. Status: at large with restrictions. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, June 4, 2021; Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020.
In brief
Krasnoyarsk Krai · Krasnoyarsk · Engineers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony
Upheld August 2, 2022
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
organised the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
December 15, 2025 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, June 4, 2021
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Imprisonment begins
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Krasnoyarsk Krai
· Persecution begins
Andrei Stupnikov's case
Criminal case
Andrei Stupnikov's case
Details and sources
Full summary
Andrei Stupnikov is a resident of Krasnoyarsk. On 3 July 2018, he was detained at an airport. On 4 July, he was arrested on charges of organising the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremism-related articles solely for their religious activities, including holding meetings, conducting joint worship services, and attracting new followers.
In February 2019, he was transferred to house arrest. On 2 July, the court released Stupnikov from house arrest and imposed a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions.
On 3 June 2021, he was sentenced to six years in a general-regime penal colony. On 15 December 2025, he was released.
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.