Detention: On May 26, 2020, FSB officers conducted searches in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kerch and Sevastopol. Following the search, Artem Volodymyrovych Shablii was detained. He was taken to a temporary detention facility, where he spent three days. Afterward, the occupation court imposed a travel restriction on him. A criminal case was initiated against Artem Shablii under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of an extremist organization'). The charges were based on peaceful religious gatherings and Bible discussions. Human rights defenders emphasize that the persecution is solely related to freedom of religion.

Verdict: As of July 29, 2026, no guilty verdict has been issued against Artem Shablii. He continues to be listed as a defendant in the criminal proceedings in open independent sources. There is no information about sentencing or case closure.

Artem Volodymyrovych Shablii was born in 1990. He lived in Kerch (Autonomous Republic of Crimea). By profession, he is a builder. He has a secondary education. Married, father of two children. He is a believer of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious organization.
After the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses as an 'extremist organization' in 2017, the persecution of believers extended to the temporarily occupied Crimea. Artem Shablii became one of dozens of Crimeans whom the Russian authorities began to persecute solely for participating in peaceful worship services. According to the investigation materials, the basis for criminal prosecution was 'Bible discussions with a person who showed interest in it.' Human rights defenders emphasize that such actions do not contain elements of violence or extremism and are an exercise of the right to freedom of conscience and religion.

After his detention, Artem Shablii spent three days in a temporary detention facility, after which he was released under a travel restriction. During the investigation, he remained under procedural restrictions. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center included him in the list of persons subjected to politically motivated persecution in occupied Crimea. Experts from human rights organizations emphasize that criminal cases against Jehovah's Witnesses violate international humanitarian law and the human right to freedom of religion.

The Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and international human rights organizations have repeatedly stated that the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in occupied Crimea is part of Russia's systemic policy to suppress freedom of conscience and religion. They consider Artem Shablii's case as an example of criminal prosecution for peaceful religious practice.

As of July 29, 2026, there is no information in open independent sources about a guilty verdict, the termination of criminal prosecution, or the release of Artem Shablii from the status of a defendant. Human rights organizations continue to consider him a victim of politically motivated persecution based on religion.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, ZMINA.

Photo: Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Date of update: 29.07.2026.