Name: Kuznetsov Aleksey Vladimirovich
Date of Birth: September 10, 1974
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)
Time spent in prison: 7 day in a pre-trial detention
Current restrictions: detention center
Sentence: imprisonment for a period of 6 years with serving in a general regime penal colony, with deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the placement of appeals and other materials in public information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, for a period of 3 years, with restriction of freedom for a period of 1 year
Currently held in: Detention Center No.1 for Tver Region
Address for correspondence: Kuznetsov Aleksey Vladimirovich, born 1974, Detention Center No.1 for Tver Region, Ul. Vagzhanova, 141, Tver, Tver Region, 170010

Letters of support can be sent by regular mail or through the «FSIN-letter system». To pay for service with the card of a foreign bank use Prisonmail.

Note: discussing topics related to criminal prosecution is not allowed in letters; languages other than Russian will not pass.

Biography

In June 2023, Aleksey Kuznetsov was charged with extremism for discussing biblical thoughts with friends via video link. This came as a surprise to him, as he always respected the state and its laws.

Aleksey was born in September 1974 in the city of Bezhetsk, Tver Region. His father died in 2022. He was a soldier, so the family moved frequently. His mother worked in the accounting department and is now retired.

As a child, Aleksey loved to play the guitar, as well as solder and assemble electronic devices according to schemes. After graduating from a technical university, he worked as an engineer and teacher.

In the late 1990s, Aleksey became interested in the historical events mentioned in the Bible. He was struck by the fact that many of the prophecies in this book had already been fulfilled. In 2002, he became one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

In September 2023, Aleksey married Nataliya. She shares his views on life. Nataliya works in a hospital, where she performs the duties of junior medical staff. In her free time, she enjoys reading classical literature and traveling. Aleksey likes to do something useful with his own hands. Together, the couple enjoy listening to live music and watching historical films.

Due to the stress caused by the criminal prosecution, Aleksey and his mother's chronic illnesses worsened. Relatives and friends who do not share the religious views of the believer are surprised that such a peace-loving and decent person is accused of extremism.

Case History

In July 2021, searches were carried out at the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the cities of Konakovo and Ivanovo. Aleksandr Shchetinin, Sergey Naumenko, Oleg Katamov, Aleksey Kuznetsov and Aleksandr Starikov, who had a seriously ill elderly father in his care, were subjected to criminal prosecution. The case against the believers was initiated by the FSB of Russia in the Tver region. All men were charged with “organizing the activities of an extremist organization” just for reading the Bible and discussing Christian teachings with residents of Konakovo district. The believers were included in the list of Rosfinmonitoring—they were blocked access to personal accounts. In October 2023, the case went to court. In February 2025, the sentence was announced: 6 years in a general regime colony for Starikov, Katamov, Kuznetsov and Shchetinin. The case against Naumenko was separated into a separate proceeding and suspended.
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