Dmitry Barmakin

A resident of Primorye. On 28 July 2018, he was detained together with his wife in the house of a 90-year-old relative, whom they came to care for. The wife was released. On 30 July, Barmakin was arrested on charges of organising 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 their religious activities: meetings, joint worship services, and attracting new supporters.

On 18 October 2019, Barmakin was banned from certain actions as a preventive measure. On 18 December 2020, the Сourt returned the case to the prosecutor's office. On 20 April 2021, the court of appeals returned the case to the Сourt of first instance to the same judge. On 22 November, the Сourt acquitted Barmakin. However, in April 2022 this decision was cancelled, and in April 2023 the court sentenced Barmakin to eight years in a general regime penal colony. But this decision was also cancelled by the court of appeal, the case was sent for review, and Barmakin was released on his recognisance not to leave. On 18 December 2023, the Court of Cassation cancelled the last decision of the Court of Appeal and, in turn, sent the case for review to the Court of Appeal. On 6 February 2024, the appeal court confirmed the sentence of eight years' imprisonment.

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