Sergey Lukin

Sergey Lukin

Sergey Lukin

Unjust Verdicts

Court Toughens Sentence for One of Jehovah's Witnesses from Biysk. Instead of a Suspended Sentence Sergey Lukin Was Given Forced Labor

Altai Territory

On March 13, 2025, a panel of judges of the Altai Territory Court replaced the 4.5-year suspended sentence against Sergey Lukin, an entrepreneur from Biysk, with forced labor of the same duration, which the prosecutor's office had sought.

The court of first instance found Sergey Lukin guilty of participating in and involving others in the activity of an extremist organization. This is how the authorities interpreted holding peaceful meetings for worship and conversations on Bible topics.

The believer considers the charge of extremism groundless. He stated in his appeal: "The court mistakenly regarded the completely legitimate expression of my faith — characteristic of Jehovah's Witnesses — as illegal actions."

In the Altai Territory, 9 Jehovah's Witnesses are being prosectuted and have been sent to a penal colony, given a suspended sentence or forced labor for their faith in God.

In September 2024, the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur, Mariana Katsarova, stated that in Russian law, "the definitions of 'extremism'... are too vague... allowing arbitrary interpretation and application". She notes that " 'extremism' charges are used to target religious minorities, especially Jehovah's Witnesses" (§§ 66, 70).

The Case of Lukin in Biysk

Case History
In December 2022, in Biysk, the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against unidentified persons, as part of which searches were conducted in the homes of local Jehovah’s Witnesses in January 2023. After that, Sergey Lukin, an entrepreneur from Biysk, was named as a suspect. According to the investigation, he took part in the “activity of an extremist organization” — this is how an ordinary meeting of believers to discuss the Bible is viewed. The reason for the criminal prosecution was a statement from a man who was allegedly interested in the Bible. After interrogation, Lukin was released under a recognizance agreement. In January 2024, the court began to consider the case on its merits. The trial resulted in a guilty verdict — a 4.5-year suspended sentence. The court announced the decision in December 2024. After 3 months, the court of appeal replaced the sentence with 4.5 years of forced labor.
Timeline

Persons in case

Lukin
Sergey

Criminal case

Region:
Altai Territory
Locality:
Biysk
Suspected of:
according to the investigation, "conducted a study of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, gave comments and expressed their point of view on the issues discussed" (from the decision to charge)
Court case number:
12302010010000193
Initiated:
December 1, 2022
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department for the City of Biysk of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Altai Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)
Court case number:
1-202/2024 (1-1321/2023)
Court of First Instance:
Biysk City Court of the Altai Territory
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Irina Novoselova
Case History
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