In penal colony

Evgeny Bitusov

Birth date

February 22, 1979

Citizenship

Russia

Family

Officially registered marriage; Have children

Case

The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Zeya

Article

Part 1, Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code

Verdict

six years' imprisonment in a general regime colony

On 21 March 2019, Bitusov's home was searched. The search was then conducted on 13 October 2020. On 1 June 2021, he was charged with participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship services, attracting new supporters. On 8 October the charge was reclassified to organising activities. On 28 December 2022 he was sentenced to six years in a general regime colony.