Name: Makhalichev Nikolay Andreyevich
Date of Birth: July 1, 1984
Current status: suspect
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)
Time spent in prison: 4 day in a temporary detention facility, 42 day in a pre-trial detention

Biography

On February 21, 2020, Belarusian law enforcement officers detained 36-year-old Russian Nikolai Makhalichev. As it turned out, he was put on the interstate wanted list due to the fact that he allegedly professes a religion banned in Russia. What is known about him?

Nikolay was born in 1984 in the city of Cherepovets (Vologda region) in a family of school teachers. Later, a daughter appeared in the family. As a child, while studying in elementary school, he helped his father in the construction of a summer house, together with his sister he was engaged in ballroom dancing and equestrian sports, and studied at an art school. He graduated from the Academy with a degree in jurisprudence. Later he acquired a number of construction and finishing skills.

Nikolay's hobbies include hiking, hockey, playing the guitar and singing. But most of all, Nikolay loves to help others.

Nicholas was brought up from childhood according to biblical standards. Even in botany lessons, I admired how amazingly nature was created. Later, while studying in a specialized medical class, he was struck by the structure of the human body. This, as well as the benefits of applying the Bible commandments in his daily life, prompted him to become a Christian at a young age.

Nikolay lived in different cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Urai (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug) and Krasnoyarsk.

In connection with the criminal prosecution of Nikolay, his mother began to have sleep and eating disorders. In addition, fearing for the poor health of Nikolai's 82-year-old grandmother, the family decided not to inform her about the incident yet.

Case History

In January 2019, the Investigative Committee for the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area opened a case against Nikolay Makhalichev. He was accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. The Prosecutor General’s Office put him on the wanted list. In February 2020, Makhalichev was detained in Belarus, the first time that a Jehovah’s Witness persecuted in Russia for his faith was arrested in that country. The Russian authorities sent a request for extradition, but in April the Belarusian side refused to extradite. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations called for Makhalichev not to be handed over, stressing the religious nature of the persecution.
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