Saparov Nikolay

Name: Saparov Nikolay Vladimirovich
Date of Birth: December 24, 1981
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)
Time spent in prison: 2 day in a temporary detention facility, 975 day in a pre-trial detention
Current restrictions: detention center
Sentence: punishment in the form of 6 years of imprisonment with serving in a penal colony of general regime, with deprivation of the right to engage in educational activities, as well as activities related to leadership and participation in religious public associations and organizations, for a period of 4 years, with restriction of liberty for a period of 1 year
Currently held in: Detention Center No.2 for Republic of Adygeуa
Address for correspondence: Saparov Nikolay Vladimirovich, born 1981, Detention Center No.2 for Republic of Adygeуa, Ul. Lenina, 28, pos. Tlyustenkhabl, Teuchezhskiy rayon, Republic of Adygeya

Letters of support can be sent by regular mail.

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

Biography

In March 2022, the life of the close-knit Saparov family changed dramatically when its head, Nikolay, was arrested for believing in Jehovah God. He was placed behind bars, and his wife lost the support of her beloved husband and best friend, and his minor daughter lost "the best dad in the world."

Nikolay was born in December 1981 in St. Petersburg. He has two brothers. From a young age, Nikolay is fond of various sports: hockey, tennis, basketball, football, volleyball.

Nikolay graduated with honors from the St. Petersburg College of Economics and Technology with a degree in Economics and Accounting. After that, he studied at the St. Petersburg State University of Water Communications. Later, Nikolay moved to Nizhny Novgorod, and then to Maikop. Most recently, he worked as a supervisor in a trading company.

Nicholas's mother was the first in the family to study the Bible. Over time, in 1997, he decided to devote his life to serving God. In 2004, Nikolay married Nataliya, whom he met through common religious values. At one time, she was touched by the biblical teaching about eternal life in paradise on earth. Natalia works as a hairdresser, is fond of cooking, sewing and knitting.

In 2005, the couple had a daughter. She studies at the gymnasium and art school, is engaged in athletics. Before Nicholas was arrested, the family often spent time together, and the daughter especially enjoyed playing volleyball with her dad.

Case History

In March 2022, Nikolay Saparov, a Jehovah’s Witness from Maykop, was detained while he was at the airport in Mineralnye Vody with his wife and minor daughter. The believer was subjected to violence with the use of a stun gun. On the same day, a search was carried out in the Saparovs’ apartment, where the believer was taken by an investigator. Nikolay spent 48 hours in a temporary detention facility, after which he was placed in a pretrial detention center, where he has been kept for almost 2 years. He was included on the Rosfinmonitoring list and charged with organizing the activity of a banned organization. This is how the investigation interprets peaceful meetings for worship that are not prohibited by the court. In May 2022, the case went to court. In January 2024, the court sentenced the believer to 6 years in a penal colony with restriction of freedom for 1 year.
Timeline
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