Sergey Lukin

Sergey Lukin

Sergey Lukin

Unjust Verdicts

Court Toughens Sentence for One of Jehovah's Witnesses from Biysk. Sergey Lukin's Suspended Term Converted to Forced Labor

Altai Territory

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

The court of first instance found Sergey Lukin guilty of involvement and participation in the activities of an extremist organization. This is how the authorities interpreted the holding of peaceful meetings for worship and conversations on biblical topics.

The believer considers the accusations of extremism groundless. "The court mistakenly regarded as illegal actions my completely legitimate behavior aimed solely at the external expression of my faith in a manner characteristic of Jehovah's Witnesses," he stated in his appeal.

In the Altai Territory, 9 Jehovah's Witnesses who were sentenced to a penal colony, suspended sentence or forced labor because of their faith in God were prosecuted.

In September 2024, the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur, Mariana Katsarova, stated that in Russian law, "definitions of 'extremism' . . . too vague... and are subject to arbitrary interpretation and application". She notes that "accusations of 'extremism' are used to persecute 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 the city of Biysk, was brought in as a suspect. According to the investigation, he took part in the “activities of an extremist organization” - this is how an ordinary meeting of believers to discuss the Bible is interpreted. The reason for the criminal prosecution was a statement from a man who was allegedly interested in the Bible. After interrogation, Lukin was released on his own recognizance agreement. In January 2024, the court began consideration of the case on the merits. The trial ended in a guilty verdict - 4.5 years suspended. 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:
Бийский городской суд Алтайского края
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Irina Novoselova
Case History
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