Anna Matveeva
Anna Matveeva, born 1977, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk”. Sentence (April 29, 2025): a fine of 400,000 rubles. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnoyarsk Krai · Lesosibirsk · Teachers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
a fine of 400,000 rubles
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
According to the investigation, "while in her apartment and using unidentified electronic devices, she trained followers in the preaching practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses by studying and discussing religious literature and other materials."
Latest event
April 29, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Persecution ends
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk
Other defendants in the case
- Andrei Shiyan — At large, 6 years 1 month
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesosibirsk
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Lesosibirsk of Krasnoyarsk krai. In November 2021, her place of residence was searched in the case of her fellow countryman Valery Sheetz, who was charged with organising activities of an extremist organisation due to his involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities — holding meetings and worship services and recruiting new supporters. In January 2023, Matveeva's case was separated from Sheetz's case. On 17 February she was interrogated and signed a recognisance not to leave the country. Matveeva was accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organisation. After Matveeva's case was brought to court, it was once again merged with the case of another resident of Lesosibirsk, Andrei Shiyan. On 29 April 2025, Matveeva was sentenced to a fine of 400,000 rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.