Arrest: On March 4, 2021, FSB officers conducted a series of searches in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yalta, after which Taras Oleksandrovych Kuzio was detained. He was charged under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of extremist organization activities'), alleging he organized worship services and religious gatherings of Jehovah's Witnesses. After his arrest, he was placed under house arrest, later replaced by a travel restriction. Human rights defenders emphasized that the persecution was solely related to the exercise of the right to freedom of religion.

Sentence: On February 27, 2023, the Russia-controlled Yalta City Court found Taras Kuzio guilty and sentenced him to 6 years and 6 months in a general regime colony. He was taken into custody directly in the courtroom. On March 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of occupied Crimea overturned the sentence for all four defendants and sent the case for a new trial. Following this, Taras Kuzio was released from custody, but the criminal prosecution did not cease.

On March 22, 2024, the Russia-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea overturned the sentence and sent the case for a new trial, after which Taras Kuzio was released from custody. As of July 26, 2026, the new trial is ongoing, and there is no final verdict.
Taras Oleksandrovych Kuzio was born on June 8, 1978. He resides in Yalta. He is married to Darya Kuzio, who also became a figure in the criminal case. The couple has two children. Open sources indicate that before the criminal prosecution, Taras worked in the construction and repair sector.

Following the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to liquidate the legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses, Russian authorities began widespread criminal prosecution of believers, extending this practice to the temporarily occupied Crimea. On March 4, 2021, the FSB conducted searches in Yalta, after which Taras Kuzio was detained. The investigation claimed he organized the activities of an 'extremist organization,' although it was actually about conducting peaceful religious meetings and Bible readings.

During the trial, the defense emphasized that the case materials lacked evidence of calls for violence or any extremist activity. Despite this, on February 27, 2023, the court sentenced Taras Kuzio to six years and six months in prison. Immediately after the verdict was announced, he was taken into custody. Along with him, Petro Zhiltsov, Serhiy Lyulin, and Darya Kuzio were also convicted.

On March 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of occupied Crimea overturned the sentence for all four defendants and sent the case for a new trial. Following this, Taras Kuzio was released from custody, but the criminal prosecution did not cease.

Human rights defenders view his case as an example of the use of Russian anti-extremist legislation to persecute individuals for peacefully practicing their religion.

As of July 26, 2026, Taras Kuzio remains free, but his criminal case is not concluded and continues to be reviewed by Russia-controlled courts.

Information used from open sources: Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, ZMINA, Project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial', Crimean Human Rights Group, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Photo: Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Date updated: 26.07.2026.