Nikolay Kupriyanskiy and the Chausovs during the sentencing. December 2, 2024

Nikolay Kupriyanskiy and the Chausovs during the sentencing. December 2, 2024

Nikolay Kupriyanskiy and the Chausovs during the sentencing. December 2, 2024

Unjust Verdicts

An Appeal in Kursk Mitigated the Punishment for Faith of Nikolay Kupriyanskiy and the Chausovs. Dmitriy Chausov Is Released

Kursk Region

On May 26, 2025, the Kursk Regional Court reduced the sentences imposed on three Jehovah's Witnesses: for Nikolay Kupriyanskiy to 4.5 years and the Chausovs to 1 year and 10 months. The verdict has entered into force. Dmitriy Chausov was released the same day, as he had already served his entire term in a pre-trial detention center.

The prosecutor filed an appeal against the verdict of the first instance, in which he asked to toughen the punishment for the believers: Kupriyansky—up to 7 years in a penal colony, the Chausov couple—up to 3 years. The state prosecutor requested the same terms in the court of first instance.

Dmitriy Chavusov after being released from the pre-trial detention center. May 26, 2025
Dmitriy Chavusov after being released from the pre-trial detention center. May 26, 2025

The defendants also appealed the court's decision. They asked to acquit them due to the absence of a crime under Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. One of the believers' lawyers stated that criminal prosecution for religious beliefs humiliates human dignity: "The actions of the investigation and the court are aimed at intimidating the convict and his fellow believers and forcing them to renounce their faith. Such treatment is also considered inhuman and caused them deep physical and mental suffering."

The trend of persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses by entire families has continued for several years, and the Chausovs are just one of many examples. All this is happening despite the ECHR's demand to completely stop the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.

The Case of Kupriyanskiy and Others in Kursk

Case History
In August 2023, searches were carried out at the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kursk. An FSB investigator initiated a criminal case against Nikolay Kupriyanskiy and the Chausovs, Dmitriy and Oksana. All three were detained. They were accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization and participating in it. Dmitriy was sent to a pre-trial detention center, and later, like Nikolay and Oksana, under house arrest. The Chavusovs were separated due to a ban on communication. In June 2024, the case was brought to court. Six months later, the verdict was announced: Nikolay Kupriyansky—6 years in a penal colony, Dmitry Chausov and his wife Oksana—2 years and 6 months each. In May 2025, the appeal approved this decision, while reducing the assigned terms: for Kupriyansky—to 4.5 years, for the Chausovs—to 1 year and 10 months. Dmitriy Chavusov was released in the courtroom, as he had already served his entire term in a pre-trial detention center.
Timeline

Persons in case

Chausov
Dmitriy
Chausova
Oksana
Kupriyanskiy
Nikolay

Criminal case

Region:
Kursk Region
Locality:
Kursk
Suspected of:
"acting in conditions of strict secrecy in order to avoid exposure and suppression of his criminal activities by law enforcement agencies and state security agencies, continues to convene meetings of members of this organization and other followers of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses in the territory of Kursk and the Kursk region" (from the decision to initiate criminal proceedings)
Court case number:
12307380001000014
Initiated:
July 3, 2023
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Kursk Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-640/2024
Court of First Instance:
Leninskiy District Court for the City of Kursk
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Margarita Dyadyusheva
Case History
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