In the Murmansk region, a 67-year-old Jehovah’s Witness is to stand trial.

The Investigative Committee for Murmansk Region has reported the completion of the investigation against a Jehovah’s Witness from Snezhnogorsk, who is accused of organising the activities of an extremist organisation (Part 1, Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code). The SOVA Centre, a research organisation, drew attention to the agency’s press release in its report.

The case has been submitted to court.

The press service has not given the accused’s name. SOVA suggests that the case concerns 67-year-old Anatoly Odintsov.

The case against Odintsov was initiated on 24 April 2023. On 5 June, law enforcement informed his wife that he had been declared wanted and told her he must attend questioning, otherwise he would be sent to a pre-trial detention centre (SIZO). According to a portal covering Jehovah’s Witnesses prosecutions, as of June 2025, the man was in a pre-trial detention centre. It is unknown how long he has been held in custody.

According to law enforcement, from August 2017 to July 2021 he held Jehovah’s Witnesses’ meetings, preached, distributed religious literature, and ‘involved other residents’ of Murmansk Region in the organisation’s activities.