Kovrov Court Fines Mikhail Sveshnikov Quarter of a Million Rubles for Christian Activity

On March 26, 2025, Natalya Novikova, judge of the Kovrov City Court of the Vladimir Region, found Mikhail Sveshnikov, 54, father of four, guilty of participating in the activity of an extremist organization. He was fined 250,000 rubles with installments over 25 months.

The prosecution of Sveshnikov began at the end of August 2023, when two law enforcement officers detained him near his home. This is how the believer learned that the Kovrov Directorate of the Investigative Committee had initiated a criminal case against him. His house was searched, and he was sent for interrogation, after which he was escorted to a temporary detention facility. Mikhail spent almost 4 months under house arrest, and later his preventive measure was changed to a ban on certain actions. In July 2024, after 11 months of investigation, the case went to court.

In his final statement before the court, the believer said: "I am sure that my beliefs cannot harm anyone. If the 'extremism' that is attributed to me is real, then it would be logical to expect that in 14 years of my service to God there should be real victims. And if this is not the case, then this 'extremism' is simply fabricated."

"The prosecution, with the aim of discrediting my reputation, used a certain stereotype against me, which is often heard in the media," he added.

The verdict has not entered into force. The believer can appeal this decision to higher instance courts.

Law enforcement agencies of the Vladimir Region continue to prosecute Jehovah's Witnesses.