Elena Gadrshina
Elena Gadrshina, born 1958, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Elena Gadrshina's case”. Sentence (November 19, 2025): 2 years of suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
of suspended imprisonment
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
She participated in discussions on the content of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ religious books, including the so-called Holy Scripture (the Bible).
Latest event
November 19, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Elena Gadrshina's case
Criminal case
Elena Gadrshina's case
- Case number
- 1-15/2025 (1-53/2024; 1-186/2023;)
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Details and sources
Full summary
Elena is a resident of Krasnodar Krai. She worked as an accountant until her retirement. In February 2022, her home was searched. In June 2023, Gadrshina was charged with participating in the activities of an extremist organisation due to her involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist legislation solely for their religious activities — organising meetings and worship services, and recruiting new followers.
In August 2023, Gadrshina was placed under a travel restriction. On 19 November 2025, she received a two-year suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.