Vladlena Kukavitsa
Vladlena Kukavitsa, born 1990, Jewish Autonomous 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); “Vladlena Kukavitsa's case”. Sentenced on April 16, 2026. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Jewish Autonomous Oblast · Birobidzhan · Medical workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 6 months
Suspended prison sentence
First instance, April 10, 2025: 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 version of the investigation, she "participated in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious organisation" and "conducted religious-educational lessons related to the type of 'preaching service' of the followers of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious organisation."
Latest event
April 16, 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
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Vladlena Kukavitsa's case
Criminal case
Vladlena Kukavitsa's case
Details and sources
Full 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.
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.