Updated: May 3, 2024
Name: Kuznetsov Aleksey Vladimirovich
Date of Birth: September 10, 1974
Current status: Defendant
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)

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, the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses were searched in the cities of Konakovo and Ivanovo. Alexander Starikov, who takes care of his seriously ill father, who is over 90 years old, and Sergey Naumenko were prosecuted. A month earlier, the FSB of Russia in the Tver region opened two criminal cases against believers, accusing them of “organizing the activities of an extremist organization” just for reading the Bible and discussing Christian teachings with residents of the Konakovo district. Starikov and Naumenko were interrogated and released on recognizance not to leave. Later, both criminal cases were merged into one. In June 2023, Aleksandr Shchetinin and Oleg Katamov also became defendants in the case. In October of the same year, it went to court.