Pyotr Zhiltsov

Additional Name(s): Petr Zhiltsov, Petr Alekseyevich Zhiltsov, Жильцов Пётр Алексеевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Appeal: Overturned

Sentence: Originally 6 Years, 1 Month's Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/27/2023

Date of Sentencing: February/27/2023

Date of Release: March/22/2024

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing

Pyotr Zhiltsov

Extra Bio Info:

Pyotr Zhiltsov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 29, 2021, authorities in Yalta, Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained Zhiltsov after accusing him of extremism tied to his religion.

In August 2021, Zhiltsov was placed under house arrest. 

On July 11, 2022, the Yalta City Court lifted Zhiltsov's house arrest.

On February 27, 2023, the Yalta City Court sentenced Zhiltsov to six years and one month in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC) and “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC). Zhiltsov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On March 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of Crimea overturned Zhiltsov's sentence and ordered a new trial. Zhiltsov was subsequently released from custody.

Related Cases: Taras Kuzio, Sergey Lyulin

Sources: