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Pilshchikov Albert Valeryevich

Date of birth: June 17, 1980 (46 years old)
citizenship: Россия
City of residence: Naberezhnye Chelny
Article of the Criminal Code:  282.2 ч. 1
Pursuit stage:  verdict delivered – appeal pending
Date of arrest:  March 6, 2026
Sentence:  6 лет 6 месяцев лишения свободы в колонии общего режима
Date of sentencing:  September 22, 2026
Current location:  Remand Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Chuvash Republic – Chuvashia

Albert Pilshchikov, a Jehovah's Witness from Cheboksary, was charged under the article concerning the organisation of extremist activities and placed under house arrest in March 2026.

According to the prosecution, Pilshchikov 'engaged in active organisational activities aimed at continuing the unlawful activities of an organisation banned by a court, which involved exercising overall leadership of a religious group (congregation)'.

As reported by a website covering the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, investigators presented a video recording in French as evidence of Pilshchikov's guilt. The prosecution claimed that it showed a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. Upon examination, however, it turned out to be a webinar on osteopathy.

The court sentenced Albert Pilshchikov to 6 years and 6 months' imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.

  • List of Jehovah’s Witnesses Facing Prosecution (updated)

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