Artemov Oleg

Name: Artemov Oleg Igorevich
Date of Birth: July 31, 1995
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.3 (1), 282.2 (1)
Time spent in prison: 149 day in a pre-trial detention
Current restrictions: detention center
Sentence: imprisonment for a term of 6 years 6 months in a general regime penal colony, with deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the leadership of religious organizations and participation in their work, for a term of 6 years, with restriction of freedom for a term of 1 year

Biography

Oleg Artemov from Chelyabinsk had plenty of plans before he faced criminal prosecution for discussing the Bible with friends by videoconferencing. He wanted to build a strong family. Oleg recalls: "When the case was initiated, it became clear to me that it would most likely end with a prison term... And that would mean this goal gets pushed back..."

Oleg was born in July 1995 in the village of Kanashevo in the Chelyabinsk Region and has always lived in Chelyabinsk. He has an older brother. His mother is retired, and his father died of a stroke in December 2025. As a child, Oleg loved playing football with friends, and he also enjoyed thinking up, filming and editing short comedy sketches.

After school, Oleg worked as a mechanic at a bowling center, and 5 years later he changed to repairing apartments. From time to time, he attended various events in the construction field — seminars, master classes, and fairs in different cities across Russia. In his spare time, Oleg plays volleyball and football and goes ice skating. In summer, he loves relaxing by the lakes of the Urals. He also enjoys organizing big gatherings and parties for friends from different cities, as well as filming humorous videos. "I can't live without humor and puns," the believer says.

From early childhood, Oleg's mother instilled in him a love for the Bible. As a youngster he decided to study the book in depth for himself. He was struck by its consistency, its archaeological and historical accuracy, and its practical wisdom. In 2012, Oleg decided to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. At the time, he had no idea that this would later lead to criminal prosecution.

When the court hearings began, Oleg met Yuliya, among those who came to support him, and later she became his wife. He remembers: "It was really nerve‑racking to tell her parents, 'Hello, I want to ask your daughter to be the wife of a 'criminal'." Yuliya's parents are not Jehovah's Witnesses but they supported the young couple. Oleg and Yuliya got married in November 2025. They are determined to overcome all difficulties together.

Case History

In late February 2024, investigator Aleksandr Chepenko, of the investigative Committee, initiated two criminal cases at once against Oleg Artemov. The believer was suspected of participating in the activity of an extremist organization and of financing it because he attended meetings for worship and paid for a video‑conferencing application. Artemov’s phone and bank cards were seized, and he was placed under a recognizance agreement. A year later, the investigation reclassified the charge from participating in the activity of an extremist organization to organizing such activity. The court began hearing the case in spring 2025. In April 2026, the court sentenced him to 6.5 years in a penal colony.
Timeline
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