Olga Panyuta
Olga Panyuta, born 1959, Primorsky Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code (Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spassk-Dalnyi”. Sentence (February 10, 2023): 4 years 6 months' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: at large with restrictions. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, January 8, 2020.
In brief
Primorsky Krai · Spassk-Dalny · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 6 months
imprisonment in a general regime colony
Upheld October 16, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code — Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
organised the activities of a banned religious organisation in Spassk-Dalny
Latest event
April 10, 2026 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, January 8, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, January 8, 2020
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №4 (SIZO-4) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Primorsky Krai
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spassk-Dalnyi
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spassk-Dalnyi
Other defendants in the case
- Dmitry Malevanyi — Imprisoned, 6 years 10 months
- Olga Opaleva — Imprisoned, 4 years 10 months
- Alexei Trofimov — Imprisoned, 6 years 4 months
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spassk-Dalnyi
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Primorsky Krai. On 25 November 2018, she was detained and placed under house arrest on 27 November on charges of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with her involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship services, attracting new supporters. On 19 November 2019, she was released from house arrest on her own recognisance. On 10 February 2023, sentenced to four years in a general regime colony. On 24 May, the court of appeal reduced the term by two months. Upon arrival in the colony, Panyuta was for some time in the SHIZO because of the lighter found in her possession during the search. In October 2023, it became known that Panyuta was transferred to strict conditions of detention, which lasted almost two years. On 10 April 2026, Panyuta was released.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.