Elena Chechulina
Elena Chechulina, born 1978, Kamchatka Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Sergei and Elena Chechulin's case”. Sentence (April 8, 2025): 6 years' suspended imprisonment on 3 years' probation, 6 months' restriction of liberty, 3 years' prohibition of… Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Kamchatka Krai · Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky · Medical workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
suspended imprisonment on 3 years' probation, 6 months' restriction of liberty, 3 years' prohibition of engaging in activities related to the leadership and participation in the work of religious associations
First instance, April 22, 2024: 2 years
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, she was engaged in convening meetings, organising collective religious performances and worship services, in accordance with the ideology of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious association at these meetings, and conducted scheduled training with other persons on the postulates of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious association.
Latest event
April 8, 2025 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Sergei and Elena Chechulin's case
Criminal case
Sergei and Elena Chechulin's case
Other defendants in the case
- Sergei Chechulin — At large, 6 years
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. On 17 October 2022, Chechulina's home was searched. A case was brought against her for organising the activities of an extremist organisation due to her participation in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are persecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities - holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters. Chechulina took a recognisance not to leave the country. On 23 April 2024, she was given a two-year suspended sentence. On 30 October 2024, the cassation instance cancelled the sentence and returned the case to the first instance court. On 19 February 2025, Chechulina was given a six-year suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.