Valerii Tolmazov
Valerii Tolmazov, born 1954, Tver Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tver”. Sentence (February 13, 2026): 6 years' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Tver Oblast · Tver · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general regime colony
No information about an appeal ruling.
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 continued to carry out extremist activities by holding face-to-face and correspondence meetings (videoconferences).
Latest event
February 13, 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: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Tver Oblast
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tver
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tver
Other defendants in the case
- Maksim Barbaziuk — Imprisoned, 6 years
- Aleksandr Kostiuk — Imprisoned, 6 years
Write a letter
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
170100, Тверская область, г. Тверь, ул. Вагжанова, 141, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Тверской области, Толмазов Валерий Николаевич, 1954 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Tver, formerly a repairman of electrical equipment at a company. On 24 July 2023, his home was searched as part of a case of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely on the basis of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters. Tolmazov was given a covenant not to leave the country. On 13 February 2026, he was sentenced to six years in a general regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- pre-trial detention
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.