Alexander Votyakov
Alexander Votyakov, born 1973, Udmurtia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Jehovah's Witnesses' second case in Izhevsk”. Sentence (February 4, 2025): 6 years 6 months' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since December 14, 2022; place of detention: Penal colony No. 17, Kirov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Udmurtia · Izhevsk · Entrepreneurs · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years 6 months
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony
First instance, October 25, 2024: 6 years 6 months
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, he "organised the convening and holding of religious meetings.... carried out the preaching activities".
Latest event
February 4, 2025 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 6 years 6 months.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 6 years 6 months
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
Jehovah's Witnesses' second case in Izhevsk
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Jehovah's Witnesses' second case in Izhevsk
Other defendants in the case
- Yevgeny Stephanidin — Imprisoned, 6 years
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 17, Kirov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
612740, ул. Трудовых резервов д. 125, Кировская область, г. Омутнинск, ФКУ «ИК № 17 УФСИН России по Кировской области», Вотяков Александр Васильевич, 1973 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Izhevsk. On 14 December 2022, Votyakov's home was searched as part of a case of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and prayers and attracting new supporters. The next day Votyakov was placed under house arrest. On 7 August 2023, his measure of restriction was changed to recognisance not to leave. On 25 October 2024, Votyakov was sentenced to six and a half years' suspended sentence. On 4 February 2025, the appeal court replaced the suspended sentence with a real one.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.