Margarita Moiseenko
Margarita Moiseenko, born 1978, Amur Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Margarita Moiseenko, Galina Yatsik and Elena Yatsyk”. Sentence (November 21, 2023): 3 years’ probation with a probation period of 3 years, with restriction of freedom for 10 months. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, September 22, 2023.
In brief
Amur Oblast · Zeya · Entrepreneurs · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
3 years
probation with a probation period of 3 years, with restriction of freedom for 10 months
First instance, September 21, 2023: 3 years
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, "Margarita, realizing that by her actions she was undermining the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the state... directly participated in... religious events".
Latest event
June 19, 2025 — removed from the rosfinmonitoring list
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, September 22, 2023
Timeline
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 3 years
· Imprisonment begins
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
The case of Margarita Moiseenko, Galina Yatsik and Elena Yatsyk
Criminal case
The case of Margarita Moiseenko, Galina Yatsik and Elena Yatsyk
- Case number
- 1-62/2023
Other defendants in the case
- Galina Yatsik — At large, 2 years
- Yelena Yatsyk — At large, 2 years 6 months
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Zeya
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the town of Zeya (Amur region). On 21 March 2019, a search was conducted at her home in connection with a case of involvement in an extremist organisation brought against her husband Konstantin Moiseenko for involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. A case against Margarita Moiseenko for involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation was initiated on 22 November 2021, also in connection with involvement in the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses community. On 15 February 2022, she signed the recognizance not to leave.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities — holding meetings and worship services, attracting new supporters.
On 21 September 2023 Moiseenko was sentenced to three years' probation with a probation period of 3 years, restriction of freedom for 10 months and deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the leadership and participation in the work of public organisations for 3 years. On 21 November 2023, the appeal court excluded from the sentence the deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to participation in the work of public organisations.
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.