Detention: On April 28, 2026, officers from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation and other Russian security agencies conducted a search at the home of Oleksandr Petrovych Ursu in Dzhankoi (temporarily occupied Crimea). Following the search, a criminal case was initiated against him under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“organization of the activities of an extremist organization”). The basis for this was his religious beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness. Unlike his son Viktor Ursu, Oleksandr was not taken into custody; however, the court imposed a preventive measure prohibiting certain actions. Human rights defenders emphasize that the persecution is solely related to the peaceful practice of religion.

Sentence: As of July 27, 2026, no guilty verdict has been issued against Oleksandr Ursu. He remains an accused, and the criminal case is in the pre-trial investigation stage. The preventive measure remains a prohibition of certain actions.

Oleksandr Petrovych Ursu was born on December 14, 1939. He resides in Dzhankoi. His family faced persecution during the Soviet era: his grandfather, father, and uncle were repressed due to their religious beliefs. In 1949, nine-year-old Oleksandr and his family were deported to Siberia as part of a Soviet operation against Jehovah's Witnesses. He was officially rehabilitated only in 1991.

After the occupation of Crimea, Russia began systematic criminal prosecution of Jehovah's Witnesses, declaring their organization “extremist.” Oleksandr Ursu practiced his faith peacefully for many years, but in 2026 he became the subject of a criminal case. Prior to this, on September 8, 2025, his son Viktor Ursu was sentenced to 6 years in prison on similar charges. Human rights defenders believe that the case against the father is a continuation of the persecution of the entire family based on religion.
During the search on April 28, 2026, Russian security forces seized personal belongings and documents. Subsequently, a criminal case was opened against the 86-year-old man. Despite his advanced age, the investigation accuses him of “organizing the activities of an extremist organization,” although the case materials relate solely to participation in peaceful worship and Bible study. International human rights organizations emphasize that such practices violate the right to freedom of conscience and religion.

Human rights defenders note that Oleksandr Ursu's story is symbolic: in his childhood, he survived Soviet repressions against Jehovah's Witnesses, was deported to Siberia, and more than seven decades later, he is again a victim of persecution—this time by the Russian occupying authorities in Crimea.

As of July 27, 2026, Oleksandr Ursu is under criminal prosecution by the Russian Federation but is not held in custody. There is no information in open independent sources about a guilty verdict or the closure of the criminal case.

Information used from open sources: Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, Human Rights Project “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial,” Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.

Photo: Human Rights Project “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial.”

Date of update: 27.07.2026.