Lyubov Kocherova
Lyubov Kocherova, born 1958, Khabarovsk Krai. 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 Kocherova and Ovchinnikova on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities”. Sentence (June 3, 2025): 5 years 6 months' suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, August 2, 2023.
In brief
Khabarovsk Krai · village of Knyaze-Volkonskoye · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
5 years 6 months
suspended imprisonment
First instance, August 1, 2023: 6 years
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
According to the investigation, Lyubov “collectively performed religious songs and prayers that, according to investigators, are part of the structure of the worldwide organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The case was also based on the testimony of FSB officer Stanislav Martyn, who for two years feigned an interest in studying the Bible. The investigation interpreted the conversations with Martyn as evidence of involvement in extremist activity.
Latest event
June 3, 2025 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, August 2, 2023
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Persecution begins
The case of Kocherova and Ovchinnikova on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Criminal case
The case of Kocherova and Ovchinnikova on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
- Case number
- 1-59/2024
Other defendants in the case
- Lyubov Ovchinnikova — At large, 5 years 6 months
Details and sources
Full summary
Since April 2020, a resident of the village of Knyaze-Volkonsky, acting on instructions from the FSB, had been secretly recording conversations about the Bible with Lyubov Kocherova and Lyubov Ovchinnikova.
Two years later, a criminal case was opened against the pensioners on charges of participating in and facilitating the activities of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under Russia’s anti-extremism laws solely for their religious activities — holding meetings, conducting worship services, and attracting new followers.
In March 2023, the case was submitted to the court. In August 2023, Kocherova received a 6-year suspended sentence. In December 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned the sentence and sent the case for a new trial. On 20 January 2025, Kocherova received a 5.5-year suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.