Alexander Vaganov
Alexander Vaganov, born 1985, Leningrad Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kingisepp”. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Leningrad Oblast · Kingisepp · Janitors · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Preventive measure: ban on certain activities since March 24, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
At the end of February 2023, 7 searches took place in the towns of Kingisepp and Slantsy (Leningrad region). The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under the extremist article against Kirill Khabrik, Igor Zhmyryov and other unidentified persons. Charges were also brought against Sergei Ryabokon, Andrei Morozov and Yevgeniy Poveshchenko. The last individual was placed under a travel ban as a preventive measure, while the others were taken into custody. At the end of March, searches took place in Kingisepp again. Eleven believers were questioned. Five more people became defendants in the criminal case - Miroslav Sabodash, Igor Shevliuga, Tatyana Stepanova, Alexander Vaganov and Konstantsiya Vovk. They were placed in the temporary detention centre, but were soon released, while Shevliuga spent 26 days in the pre-trial detention centre. All five are under a ban on certain actions.
Latest event
October 29, 2025 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Persecution begins
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kingisepp
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kingisepp
- Case number
- 12302410007000017
Other defendants in the case
- Konstancia Vovk — At large
- Igor Zhmyrev — Imprisoned
- Andrey Morozov — Imprisoned
- Evgeniy Poveshenko — At large
- Sergey Ryabokon — Imprisoned
- Miroslav Sabodash — At large
- Tatiana Stepanova — At large
- Kirill Khabrick — At large
- Igor Shevlyuga — At large
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of the Leningrad region. Worked as a janitor in a kindergarten. On 22 March 2023, Vaganov's home was searched and he was detained. On 24 March, the court chose a preventive measure in the form of prohibition of certain actions on charges of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.