Vladlena Kukavitsa
- Criminal Code
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal CodeArticle 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
- Case category
- Extremism casesCases against Jehovah's Witnesses
- Verdict
- Suspended prison sentence
- Sentence
- 4 years 6 months
- Date of verdict
- 2025-04-10
- Region
- Jewish Autonomous Oblast
- City
- Birobidzhan
Case summary
A resident of Birobidzhan, she works at an ambulance station. On 6 February 2024, a search was carried out place at her home. She was initially accused of involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation, and later also with participation in such activities due to her involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremism-related articles solely for religious activities - holding meetings and worship services, and recruiting new members. On 5 September 2024, Kukavitsa swas placed under a travel restriction. On 10 April 2025, she was sentenced to six years' suspended sentence. On 10 June 2025, the appeal court overturned the sentence. On 22 January 2026, the court of first instance, having reconsidered the case, sentenced Kukavitsa to four and a half years' suspended sentence.
Others charged under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
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Source: this person’s record in the OVD-Info political persecution database
Published under CC BY 3.0. The criteria for treating a person as politically persecuted belong to OVD-Info; FACTUM relays their assessment and makes none of its own.
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