A Jehovah’s Witness from occupied Crimea faces a request for a seven-year prison sentence.

During arguments at the Dzhankoy District Court in occupied Crimea, the prosecutor requested a seven-year prison sentence for Jehovah’s Witness Viktor Ursu. This was reported by the portal “Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Legal Situation in Russia.”

Viktor Ursu was detained on 28 July 2023. At his home, where he lives with his wife and elderly parents, the premises were inspected. Believers consider that this was in fact a search. The security officers did not allow Ursu or his wife to get dressed for some time. Law enforcement refused to show their identification and were armed. The family’s electronic devices and data storage were all seized.

After this, the believer was held in a temporary detention centre for two weeks. Throughout this period, his wife was not allowed to see him or pass on essential items, food, and medicines. On 7 August, Ursu was released but was immediately detained again, brought to the Investigative Committee, and then back to the detention centre. A criminal case was initiated against him under the article on organising the activities of an extremist organisation (Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code).

On 9 August, Ursu was placed under house arrest. In September 2024, the believer was released on a pledge not to leave the area and to behave properly.