Vitaly Ushakov
Vitaly Ushakov, born 1980, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki”. Sentenced on June 3, 2026. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Religious figures · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
Suspended prison sentence
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, in the period from 31 July 2020 to 4 July 2021, the believers "took active actions of an organisational nature, aimed at continuing... the activities... of the Jehovah's Witnesses organisation of Vyselki village, expressed in the convening, opening and closing of meetings, organisation of religious speeches and worship services... coordination of meetings, proposals of topics for discussion, other preaching activities". They are charged with part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Latest event
June 3, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
- Case number
- 1-4/2025 (1-9/2024; 1-96/2023;)
Other defendants in the case
- Evgeny Bochko — Location unknown
- Valery Vechkaev — At large
- Vladimir Kolesnikov — At large
- Alexey Shubnikov — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
Vitaly was born in July 1980 in Khatukai aul (Adygea). He has a brother and a sister.
A diligent young man, Vitaly entered the workforce immediately after finishing school. He initially took up interior decoration and roofing work, and later shifted to car repair.
As a Jehovah's Witness, Vitaly held firm to his peaceful Christian beliefs and his refusal to bear arms. At the time, there was no legislation for alternative civilian service, and he faced the threat of criminal prosecution. Eventually, he was exempted from military service due to health reasons.
In 2006, Vitaly married Irina, a single mother raising a son. The following year, they welcomed another son into their family.
In February 2022, Vitaly became a suspect in a criminal case for extremism, stemming from his involvement with Jehovah's Witnesses.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.