Lyubov Ovchinnikova
Lyubov Ovchinnikova, 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.
In brief
Khabarovsk Krai · village of Knyaze-Volkonskoye · Teachers · 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 version of the investigation, "collectively performed religious songs, prayers, which are a product in the structure of the worldwide organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses". The case was also based on the testimony of FSB officer Stanislav Martyn, who for two years portrayed an interest in studying the Bible. Conversations with Martyn were considered by the investigation as involvement in extremist activities and participation in them.
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
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· 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 Kocherova — At large, 5 years 6 months
Details and sources
Full summary
Since April 2020, a resident of the village of Knyaze-Volkonskoe, on the assignment of the FSB, began to make audio recordings of conversations about the Bible with Lyubov Kocherova and Lyubov Ovchinnikova.
Two years later, a criminal case was opened against the pensioners on charges of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation and involvement in such activities in connection with their 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 attracting new supporters.
In March 2023, the case went to court. In August 2023, Ovchinnikova was given a six-year suspended sentence. In December 2023, the court of appeal cancelled the sentence and sent the case for a new trial. On 20 January 2025, Ovchinnikova was sentenced to a five and a half 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.