Case of Verhoturov and Others in Nizhny Novgorod

Case History

In March 2026, a case was initiated against Jehovah's Witnesses in the Nizhegorod region. Security forces searched 18 believers. Yevgeniy Konkov, Anatoliy Chepkasov, Sergey Verkhoturov and Maksim Kalinin were interrogated and placed in pre-trial detention. For Sergey Verkhoturov, this is the second faith case.
Timeline

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2) CC RF

    The Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Nizhny Novgorod Region is initiating a criminal case against unidentified persons on suspicion of participating in the activities of an extremist organization.

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    Search Detention center Prosecution of several family members Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2) CC RF
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    Detention center

    Yevgeniy Konkov, Anatoly Chepkasov, Sergey Verhoturov and Maxim Kalinin are in quarantine in pre-trial detention center-1 in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Sergey is in a cell with three prisoners, the rest of the believers have two cellmates. All have hot water and a bed.

    The believers' cellmates smoke a lot right in the cells. Yevgeniy is worried about his health - he has breathing problems. Shortly before his imprisonment in a pre-trial detention center, the believer took tests and planned to visit a pulmonologist.

    Letters began to arrive to the men on the second day of their imprisonment. No one has a Bible yet. The attitude from the administration and cellmates is good.

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    Art. 282.2 (1) CC RF Detention center Police Informer Medical treatment within the Federal Penitentiary Service

    The accused are reviewing the materials of the criminal case. Verkhotorov and Kalinin have been charged under Article 282.2(1) of the RF CrC, and Chepkasov and Konkov under Article 282.2(2) of the RF CrC.

    Verkhotorov requires a consultation with an otolaryngologist due to an ear problem, but there is no such doctor at the pretrial detention center. Sergey has a copy of the New Testament in the Synodal translation. He regularly receives correspondence — 500 letters have arrived in 5 months.

    Kalinin is held in an overcrowded cell. They have to take turns sleeping because there are not enough beds for everyone. Maksim has a chronic illness; he takes the necessary medication. The believer also has a New Testament in the Synodal translation; he receives letters.

    The cell where Chepkasov is held has a lot of smoking. Anatoliy receives letters of support.

    Konkov has a Bible and also receives letters. He is being denied the medical examination he requires. He has appealed this, but so far to no avail.

    There is no hot water in any of the cells where the accused are held.

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    Transfer of a prisoner

    Anatoliy Chepkasov is held in pretrial detention center No. 1 for the Novgorod Region.

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