All assessments of the criminal prosecution of specific individuals, including the designation of detained persons as political prisoners, reflect the position of our Project. Such assessments are not based on the views and assessments of the individuals being prosecuted, their families, friends or lawyers, and do not imply their consent or approval. The information regarding the facts of specific criminal cases published on our Project’s website has been obtained from public sources and does not imply or require the consent of the individuals mentioned therein or their representatives.

Votyakov Aleksandr Vasilyevich

Date of birth: November 29, 1973 (52 years old)
citizenship: Россия
City of residence: Izhevsk
Occupation: строительство
Article of the Criminal Code:  282.2 ч. 1
Form of repression:  deprivation of liberty
Pursuit stage:  решение суда вступило в силу
Sentence:  6 лет 6 месяцев лишения свободы в колонии общего режима, 1 год ограничения свободы
Date of sentencing:  October 25, 2024
Current location:  Penal Colony No. 17, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kirov Oblast

Votyakov Aleksandr Vasilyevich, born on November 29, 1973. He lives in Izhevsk.

On October 25, 2024, he was charged with committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Organisation of the activities of a religious organisation, in respect of which a decision has been made to liquidate due to the implementation of extremist activity”) in connection with his membership in a community of Jehovah's Witnesses, which is banned in Russia. On February 4, 2025, the appellate court changed the sentence and approved 6 years and 6 months in a general regime colony.

He was under house arrest from December 15, 2022 to August 7, 2023, when he was transferred on his own recognisance (an obligation not to leave). He was taken into custody after the appeal on February 4, 2025.

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