Name: Katamov Oleg Viktorovich
Date of Birth: January 3, 1962
Current status: defendant
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)

Biography

Oleg Katamov from Konakovo peacefully practiced his religion for many years, not suspecting that one day he would become a defendant in a criminal case for believing in Jehovah God.

Oleg was born in January 1962 in the city of Konakovo (Tver region). His parents are no longer alive. As a child, Oleg loved to fish, pick mushrooms and berries. After school, he studied as a construction technician. For many years he worked as a stamper at a factory. Recently, he has been cleaning the yard area.

In 1985, Oleg married Larisa, a music teacher. After 5 years, they became interested in Bible teachings together. They were impressed by the fulfillment of the prophecies described in this ancient book and touched by the fact that Christians have the opportunity to turn to God in prayer and learn about him from the Holy Scriptures. In 1991, they decided to embark on the Christian path.

In his free time, Oleg likes to write poems on spiritual topics and, as in childhood, go to mushrooms and berries, and Larisa likes to sing and make flowers from foamiran. The couple have a daughter, Aleksandra, who shares their views on life. She works as a manicurist, knows several languages, loves to cook.

Faced with criminal prosecution, the Katamov family experienced stress. His wife and daughter support Oleg in every possible way.

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 takes care of his seriously ill elderly father, were prosecuted. The case against the believers was initiated by the FSB. All five men were charged with “organizing the activity of an extremist organization” simply for reading the Bible and discussing Christian teachings with residents of the Konakovo district. The believers were added to the Rosfinmonitoring list — their access to personal accounts was blocked. In October 2023, the case went to court.