Alexander Voronchikhin
Alexander Voronchikhin, born 1965, Occupied territory of Republic of Crimea. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Financing of extremist activities); “The case of four more Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea”. Status: location unknown. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Occupied territory of Republic of Crimea · Simferopol · Electricians · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
No information about a verdict.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Financing of extremist activities
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he took part in religious meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses
Latest event
December 8, 2023 — 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”
· Persecution begins
The case of four more Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea
Criminal case
The case of four more Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea
Other defendants in the case
- Ekaterina Demidova — Location unknown
- Dmitry Zakharevich — Under house arrest
- Alexander Kopylets — Under house arrest
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea
Details and sources
Full summary
On 8 December 2022, Voronchikhin was searched, interrogated and charged with organising activities of an extremist organisation. He was given a recognisanse not to leave the country. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters. In December 2023, the court returned the case to the prosecutor's office. In May 2025, the case came back to court.
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.