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The Jehovah’s Witnesses were declared an extremist organisation on 20 April 2017. At that time, the Supreme Court issued a ruling ordering the liquidation of the Administrative Centre and almost 400 regional associations across Russia. Previously, Jehovah’s Witnesses had only been banned in certain regions. In May 2017, reports emerged of a wave of pressure on children of Jehovah’s Witnesses from teachers and police officers. Believers also reported repeated incidents of vandalism targeting places associated with the organisation.
In 2018, across various regions of Russia, criminal cases began to be opened against members of the communities for involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation, under Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code.
Even before the organisation was banned nationwide, community representatives reported that during searches, police would “find” extremist literature which they themselves had planted. For producing and distributing prohibited materials, communities were ordered to pay fines, and local organisations were shut down.
As of January 2024, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia website, 792 believers have faced criminal prosecution.