Popov Igor

Name: Popov Igor Ivanovich
Date of Birth: September 6, 1987
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)
Time spent in prison: 1 day in a temporary detention facility, 1108 day in a pre-trial detention, 397 day in prison
Sentence: punishment in the form of 6 years 4 months of imprisonment with serving a sentence in a general regime colony, with deprivation of the right to engage in organizational activities in public or religious associations, public or religious organizations for a term of 5 years, with restriction of liberty for a term of 1 year 2 months
Term of imprisonment: until September 2026
Currently held in: Correctional Colony № 5, Altai Territory

Popov Igor Ivanovich, born 1987, Correctional Colony № 5, Altai Territory, Ul. Traktornaya, 23, Rubtsovsk, Altai Territory, 658209

Letters of support can be sent by regular mail or through the ZT system.

Parcels and parcels should not be sent because of the limit on their number per year.

Note: discussing topics related to criminal prosecution is not allowed in letters; languages other than Russian will not pass.

Biography

Igor was born in 1966 in Blagoveshchensk (Amur Region). His older brother is no longer alive. As a child, Igor was fond of skiing, orienteering and rafting on mountain rivers.

After graduating from a vocational school, Igor worked as a plaster painter and plumber. Served in the army. "From an early age, he worked honestly, never hid even from hard work; he made furniture for people so that people could rest; he built houses so that they would have a place to live; built kindergartens and schools so that children could learn and be useful to people", said the man, describing his work experience.

In 1988, Igor married Luciena, the couple had a daughter, Yelizaveta. In the early 2000s, the man decided to bring his life in line with Christian values, thanks to the study of the Holy Scriptures. He said: "Studying the Bible, I learned to love people, to get rid of envy, malice and hatred . . . found answers to many of his questions and found out: what is the meaning of life; what happens at death; why we get sick, grow old and eventually die; found practical advice on how to create family happiness; how to find joy in work and build relationships with people around you. Through reading and studying the Bible, I have been able to develop the qualities that the Creator wants to see in all people, such as meekness, kindness, self-control, and patience. It has benefited both me and my family."

In their free time, the couple likes to relax together in nature. Before his arrest, due to Luciena's health condition, Igor spent a lot of time caring for his wife. The criminal prosecution of her husband had a negative impact on the woman's health.

Case History

In October 2021, a series of searches took place in Irkutsk and the Irkutsk region, which were accompanied by a mess and brutal beatings of peaceful believers. Jehovah’s Witnesses Yaroslav Kalin, Sergey Kosteyev, Nikolay Martynov, Mikhail Moish, Aleksey Solnechny, Andrey Tolmachev and Sergey Vasiliyev were accused of extremism only because of their faith. After searches and interrogations, they were detained, and six were sent to a pre-trial detention center, and one under house arrest. Two months later, law enforcement officers conducted two more searches: in the village of Askiz (Republic of Khakassia) at Denis Sarazhakov and in the city of Mezhdurechensk (Kemerovo Region) at Igor Popov’s. Both were arrested, taken more than 1500 km away to Irkutsk, and placed in custody. In December 2022, the case went to court. In January 2024, the court sentenced them to 3 to 7 years in a penal colony. In December of the same year, the court of appeal upheld this verdict. A year later, the decision was upheld by the court of cassation.
Timeline
Back to top