Appeals Court Releases Oleg Postnikov from Prison But He Will Have to Defend Himself in Court Again, for the Fourth Time

On May 25, 2026, the court of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast overturned the verdict against Oleg Postnikov—six years and two months in a penal colony—and sent the criminal case back for a new trial. The man was released from custody in the courtroom. He was placed under a travel restriction order.

"Extremism has nothing to do with me—and nothing to do with Jehovah's Witnesses at all," Postnikov said in his final statement. Speaking about the video recordings on which the prosecution built its case, he added: "You can't hear any criticism or political arguments there... No calls for extremist actions. There were calls to love one's neighbor, to care for them; calls for open‑mindedness and for taking others' feelings into account. That's my way of life. There's nothing else on those videos."

For nearly five years, Oleg Postnikov has consistently challenged the charges brought against him, going through repeated court proceedings and seeking review of the decisions. He does not plead guilty to continuing the activities of a banned legal entity.

In court, the believer explained the reason for his persecution this way: "My only 'crime' is that I believe in God differently than others do. I believe that people will live forever on Earth in peace with one another. And for that, the prosecutor proposes to deprive me of my freedom, to separate me from my beloved wife and my friends."