Venera Dulova
Venera Dulova, born 1968, Sverdlovsk Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Karpinsk”. Sentence (January 26, 2020): two years' suspended sentence. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, May 30, 2019.
In brief
Sverdlovsk Oblast · Karpinsk, Krasnoturyinsk · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
two years' suspended sentence
Upheld February 8, 2024
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Full wording of the charges
being on the territory of the town of Karpinsk ... knowing full well that the religious organisation "The Management Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" is recognised as extremist and its activities are prohibited in the territory of the Russian Federation, took part in its activities by participating directly in events, promoting its activities and familiarising herself with religious literature
Latest event
February 7, 2026 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, May 30, 2019
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Persecution ends
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Criminal case opened
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Karpinsk
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution begins
Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Karpinsk
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Karpinsk
- Case number
- 1-11/2021 (1-184/2020;)
Other defendants in the case
- Daria Dulova — At large
- Ruslan Zaliaev — At large
- Svetlana Zaliaeva — At large
- Alexandr Prianikov — At large
- Anastasia Prianikova — At large
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Karpinsk
Jehovah's Witnesses' case in Karpinsk
- Case number
- 1-5/2020 (1-167/2019;)
Other defendants in the case
- Alexandr Prianikov — At large, 2 years 6 months
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Karpinsk
Details and sources
Full summary
In August 2018, searches took place in Dulova's flat and at the countryside residence of her relatives. Dulova and her 18-year-old daughter were intimidated during interrogation with long prison sentences. Dulova is suspected of participating in the activities of an extremist organisation. Dulova is suspected of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. She was released on the order of her own recognisance.
On January 27, 2020 she was sentenced to two years' suspended sentence. On August 6, the court of appeal sent the case for a new hearing. On July 15, 2021, she was again sentenced to two years' suspended sentence. On March 15, 2022, the appeal court overturned the verdict, finding Dulova not guilty.
On March 14, 2023, the Supreme Court overturned this decision, returning the case to the appeal court. On July 6, the appeal court again cancelled the verdict, sending the case back to the prosecutor's office. On November 8, the court of cassation returned the case to the court of appeal. On February 8, 2024, the appeal court affirmed the two-year suspended sentence.
On March 30, 2020, Dulova's house was searched and she was questioned as a suspect in another criminal case - on involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation. She was given a covenant not to leave the country. On August 9, 2023, the court sent the case back to the prosecutor's office. In March 2025, the investigation dropped the case.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Persecution episodes
- 2
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.