Jehovah's Witness arrested in Ivanovo region

Andrei Okhapkin is suspected of continuing the activities of the banned community.

On November 24, 2021, he was detained in Kineshma, Ivanovo region, and then arrested for two months as a suspect under Art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code (organization of the activities of an extremist organization or participation in such), 59-year-old Andrey Okhapkin, a follower of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses.

On the same day, searches were carried out at the place of residence of six Jehovah's Witnesses; they became witnesses in the case.

Jehovah's Witnesses are accused of involvement in the activities of an extremist organization due to the fact that in In April 2017, the Supreme Court of Russia decided to recognize the Administrative Center of the Witnesses Jehovah in Russia and 395 local religious organizations are extremist. We We believe that this decision, which entailed the mass persecution of believers in criminal procedure, had no legal grounds, and we regard it as manifestation of religious discrimination.

On February 17, 2022, the court placed Okhapkin under house arrest.

Sources

• After a new series of searches in the Ivanovo region, 59-year-old believer Andrey Okhapkin was arrested. Message from Jehovah's Witnesses. November 26, 2021
• A member of a banned sect was detained in the Ivanovo region // Ivanovo news. January 11, 2021
• Jehovah's Witness from Kineshma Andrey Okhapkin released from pre-trial detention center under house arrest. Message from Jehovah's Witnesses. February 21, 2022