Sergei Verkhoturov

At largeChecked October 18, 2026

Sergei Verkhoturov, born 1974, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region”, opened on March 5, 2026. Previously convicted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, September 22, 2019.

In brief

Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · Nizhny Novgorod · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses

Sentence

6 years

six years' suspended sentence

Verdict March 4, 2021

Upheld May 18, 2022

Charges

Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization

Full wording of the charges

Participated in organising the activities of an extremist organisation

Latest event

October 20, 2026 — case status changed

Became known October 20, 2026 · checked October 18, 2026

Recognition by rights defenders

Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, September 22, 2019
Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre

Timeline

March 17, 2026 · Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
March 5, 2026 · Criminal case opened
The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region
May 18, 2022 · Cassation ruling
upheld
March 4, 2021 · First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
January 8, 2020 · Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
September 22, 2019 · Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
July 16, 2019 · Persecution begins
The case of Sergei Verkhoturov

Criminal case

The case of Sergei Verkhoturov

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

Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nizhny Novgorod region

The Jehovah's Witnesses' third case in the Nizhny Novgorod region

Other defendants in the case

Maxim Kalinin — Imprisoned
Evgeny Konkov — Imprisoned
Anatolii Chepkasov — Imprisoned

Details and sources

Full summary

According to OVD-Info

Resident of Nizhny Novgorod region. In July 2019, Verkhoturov's home was searched as part of a case on the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with involvement in the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities — holding meetings and worship services, engaging new supporters. He was given a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions.

On 5 March 2021, he was sentenced to a six-year suspended sentence.

On 17 March 2026, Verkhoturov was searched in a new case of extremist organisation. On the same day he was taken into custody.

All fields of the record

Citizenship: Russia
Preventive measures: pre-trial detention
Persecution episodes: 2

Sources (3)