Sergey Afanasiev

On 20 July 2018, Afanasyev's home was searched. On 25 September 2020, it became known that Afanasyev was charged with participation in the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with 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. They signed a recognisance not to leave the country. The charge was later reclassified to organising and financing activities. On 21 December 2022, he was sentenced to six and a half years in a general regime colony.