Additional Name(s): Georgiy Nikolayevich Nikulin, Никулин Георгий Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 4 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/25/2022

Date of Sentencing: August/25/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Georgiy Nikulin

Extra Bio Info:

Georgiy Nikulin is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In February 2019, authorities reportedly open a criminal case against Nikulin for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC) and “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). He was accused of engaging in proselytizing activities by discussing his religion with people in public. Soon after, Nikulin was detained. 

On February 8, 2019, Nikulin was taken to Detention Center No. 1 in the Republic of Mordovia.

On June 2, 2019, Nikulin was released on bail.

On August 25, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk sentenced Nikulin to four years and two months in prison reportedly for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC) and “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). He was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On January 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Mordovia upheld Nikulin's sentence.

On October 17, 2023, the First Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Nikulin's sentence.

ikulin is married. His wife, Elena Nikulina, is also imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

Related Cases: Elena NikulinaAleksandr ShevchukDenis AntonovAleksandr KorolevVladimir Atrуakhin

Additional Name(s): Denis Nikolayevich Antonov, Антонов Денис Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/25/2022

Date of Sentencing: August/25/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Denis Antonov

Extra Bio Info:

Denis Antonov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On March 14, 2019, authorities initiated a criminal case against Antonov for “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). The accused him of engaging in proselytizing activities by discussing his religion with people in public.

On August 25, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk sentenced Antonov to two years in prison. He was taken into custody following the verdict.

On January 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Mordovia upheld Antonov's sentence.

On October 17, 2023, the First Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Antonov's sentence.

ntonov is married.

Related Cases: Elena NikulinaGeorgiy NikulinAleksandr ShevchukAleksandr KorolevVladimir Atrуakhin

Additional Name(s): Aleksander Korolev, Aleksandr Yevgeniyevich Korolev, Королёв Александр Евгеньевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/25/2022

Date of Sentencing: August/25/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Korolev

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Korolev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On March 20, 2019, authorities initiated a criminal case against Korolev for “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). The accused him of engaging in proselytizing activities by discussing his religion with people in public.

On August 25, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk sentenced Korolev to two years in prison. He was taken into custody following the verdict.

On January 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Mordovia upheld Korolev's sentence.

On October 17, 2023, the First Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Korolev's sentence.

orolev is married with one child.

Related Cases: Elena NikulinaGeorgiy NikulinAleksandr ShevchukDenis AntonovVladimir Atrуakhin