Eduard Sviridov
Eduard Sviridov, born 1964, Moscow. 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 Moscow”. Sentence (December 22, 2023): 6 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: at large.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Former military personnel · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years 6 months
6 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general regime colony
Upheld June 9, 2025
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
Eduard was involved in organising the activities of an extremist organisation
Latest event
April 2, 2026 — imprisonment ends
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 6 months
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow
Other defendants in the case
- Sean Antonio Pike — Imprisoned, 7 years
- Alexander Rumyantsev — Imprisoned, 7 years 6 months
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Moscow. On 26 August 2021, detained, the next day taken into custody by court order on charges of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship services, attracting new supporters. On 22 December 2023, he was sentenced to six and a half years in a general regime colony. He was released on 2 April 2026.
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.