Aleksei Vasiliev
Aleksei Vasiliev, born 1976, Saratov Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov”. Sentence (December 17, 2025): a fine of 600 thousand roubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, November 22, 2023.
In brief
Saratov Oblast · Saratov · Office workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 600 thousand roubles
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
December 17, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, November 22, 2023
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Preventive measure: house arrest
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
- Case number
- 1-159/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Anton Bashabaev — At large
- Aleksei Efremov — At large
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Saratov
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Saratov. On 16 November 2023, a search was conducted at his home. Vasiliev was detained and subsequently placed under house arrest in connection with a criminal case on participation in the activities of an extremist organisation, related to his alleged involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremism-related articles exclusively because of their religious activities, including holding meetings and worship services and recruiting new adherents.
On 11 November 2024, the preventive measure was changed to a prohibition on certain actions.
On 17 December 2025, the court sentenced him to a fine of 600 thousand rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.