Olga Kalinnikova
Olga Kalinnikova, born 1976, Sakhalin Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code (Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses' in Iturupa”. Sentence (January 15, 2026): 5 years of imprisonment with suspended sentence with 2 years of restriction of liberty. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Sakhalin Oblast · NULL · Engineers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
5 years
of imprisonment with suspended sentence with 2 years of restriction of liberty
First instance, March 25, 2025: 2 years 6 months
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code — Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
She took part in the activities of an extremist organisation by discussing biblical topics with a fellow villager.
Latest event
January 15, 2026 — 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 6 months
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses' in Iturupa
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses' in Iturupa
Other defendants in the case
- Larisa Potapova — At large, 4 years 11 months
Details and sources
Full summary
On November 23, 2023, Kalinnikova's home was searched. She was released on the order of her own recognizance as part of the case of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. In April 2024, it became known that she was additionally given a charge of involvement in such activities. On March 25, 2025, Kalinnikova was convicted to two and a half years of suspended sentence. On July 20, 2025, the court of appeal instance cancelled the conviction.
On October 29, 2025, following a new review, the court gave her 5 years of suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.