October 20, 2026, 6:32 PMRSSRU

Igor Tsarev

At largeChecked October 18, 2026

Igor Tsarev, born 1974, Jewish Autonomous Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Igor Tsarev”. Sentence (February 11, 2021): Two years six months' deprivation of liberty suspended on probation for two years, restriction of liberty for one year. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, December 11, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, April 5, 2020.

In brief

Jewish Autonomous Oblast · Birobidzhan · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses

Sentence

2 years 6 months

Two years six months' deprivation of liberty suspended on probation for two years, restriction of liberty for one year

Verdict February 11, 2021

Upheld December 12, 2021

Charges

Full wording of the charges

participated in the activities of an extremist organisation

Latest event

June 30, 2022 — persecution ends

Checked October 18, 2026 · no changes since October 15

Recognition by rights defenders

Timeline

  1. · Persecution ends

  2. · Cassation ruling

    upheld

  3. · First-instance verdict

    guilty verdict · 2 years 6 months

  4. · Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion

    Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners

  5. · Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion

    Memorial Human Rights Centre

  6. · Persecution begins

    The case of Igor Tsarev

Criminal case

The case of Igor Tsarev

There are no other defendants in this case in the database.

Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan

Details and sources

Full summary

According to OVD-Info

In September 2019, a case was initiated for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. A personal recognizance was taken. On 12 February 2021, sentenced to two and a half years suspended sentence. On 30 June, the court dissmissed Tsarev's suspended sentence and removed his criminal record.

All fields of the record
Citizenship
Russia
Sources (2)

Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code

Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.

All 929 under this article →