Anatoliy Marunov behind bars during one of the court hearings

Anatoliy Marunov behind bars during one of the court hearings

Anatoliy Marunov behind bars during one of the court hearings

Inside Penal Colonies and Detention Centers

Release Denied: Seriously Ill Believer Will Not Be Freed Early

Anatoliy Marunov, 72, remains in custody. On July 2, 2026, the Rasskazovskiy District Court of the Tambov Region once again denied him release on health grounds. The hearing was held via videoconferencing, was closed, and lasted only about 10--15 minutes.

Anatoliy Marunov has been behind bars since July 2023. During this entire time, he has struggled with a number of serious chronic conditions: hypertension, heart failure, and prostatic hyperplasia. Even before his criminal prosecution, he suffered a cerebral infarction and had his gallbladder removed; in early 2025, he was fitted with a cystostomy.

According to Alfiya, who visited her husband at the end of May 2026, they managed to secure the necessary examinations, treatment, and proper attention from the colony medical staff. However, nutrition at the colony remains inadequate, and Anatoliy continues to lose weight. In his first year of imprisonment, he already lost more than 20 kg. While behind bars, a medical commission classified him as a person with a disability. "Tolya was assigned group II. After a year in the colony, he became a person with a disability!" said Alfiya.

The judge found Anatoliy's condition acceptable for continued imprisonment in the colony. The administration of the penal institution also saw no grounds for release, stating that "during his sentence in the penal institution, the purpose of criminal punishment — namely, the correction of the convict — has not been achieved." At the same time, the colony characterized Anatoliy as follows: "He is sociable, even-tempered by nature. He gets along in the collective. He does not get into conflicts. He is polite and tactful with the administration."

Letters reach Anatoliy from different countries — sometimes dozens in a single day. Other inmates treat the believer with respect: many turn to him for advice and assistance, and some simply come to talk. They affectionately call him 'father' and 'grandfather,' and do not use profane language in his presence.

For his commitment to his religious convictions, Anatoly is set to spend about 2 more years in custody

The Case of Mareyev and Others in Moscow

Case History
In October 2021, law enforcement officers conducted searches in Moscow and the region and detained Anatoliy Marunov, Sergey Tolokonnikov and Roman Mareyev. They were charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization. In July 2023, the Savyolovsky Court of Moscow sentenced them to terms ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 years in a penal colony. The court of appeal added another 2 months for Tolokonnikov. In June 2025, he was released, and a year later the court imposed administrative supervision on him until 2033.
Timeline

Persons in case

Mareyev
Roman
Marunov
Anatoliy
Tolokonnikov
Sergey

Criminal case

Region:
Moscow
Locality:
Moscow
Suspected of:
"acted as heads and communicative leaders of the religious organization, by organizing and conducting discussions, monitoring presentations of participants, commenting on passages of text read out" (from the ruling to charge)
Court case number:
12102450011000104
Initiated:
October 20, 2021
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Department for Investigating Especially Important Cases of the Investigative Directorate for the Northern Administrative District of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the City of Moscow
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-0123/2023 (1-0997/2022)
Court of First Instance:
Savelovskiy District Court of the City of Moscow
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Dmitriy Zozulya
Case History
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