Marina Janjgava

At largeChecked October 18, 2026

Marina Janjgava, born 1958, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 275, Russian Criminal Code (Treason against the state); “The case of Marina Janjgava”. Sentence (October 31, 2013): Twelve years' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, May 31, 2017; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as a political prisoner, May 4, 2017.

In brief

Krasnodar Krai · Sochi · Service workers

Sentence

12 years

Twelve years' imprisonment in a general regime colony

Verdict October 31, 2013

Upheld February 26, 2014

Charges

Article 275, Russian Criminal Code — Treason against the state

Full wording of the charges

From April to May 2008, collected, stored with the intent to transmit and sent two SMS containing state secrets to Goga Chkheti, a citizen of Georgia, who served as a police officer at a border guard post

Latest event

August 8, 2017 — persecution ends

Checked October 18, 2026 · no changes since October 15

Recognition by rights defenders

Recognised as a political prisoner — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, May 31, 2017
Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial Human Rights Centre, May 4, 2017

Timeline

August 8, 2017 · Persecution ends
May 31, 2017 · Recognised as a political prisoner
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
May 4, 2017 · Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial Human Rights Centre
April 4, 2017 · Imprisonment ends
February 26, 2014 · Appeal ruling
upheld
October 31, 2013 · First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 12 years
October 3, 2012 · Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Krasnodar Krai
October 2, 2012 · Persecution begins
The case of Marina Janjgava

Criminal case

The case of Marina Janjgava

There are no other defendants in this case in the database.

Details and sources

Full summary

According to OVD-Info

She arrested on 3 October 2012. She signed a confession because the investigator and the appointed lawyer convinced her that the mere fact of sending SMS to a citizen of another country was already treason. On 1 November 2013, she was sentenced to twelve years in a general regime colony; on 27 February 2014, the sentence was upheld. In April 2017, she was transferred to Moscow for a review of the case. On 29 July 2017, pardoned, released on 8 August

All fields of the record

Citizenship: Russia

Sources (2)