Iuliia Pasynkova
Iuliia Pasynkova, born 1990, Karachay-Cherkessia. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Iuliia Pasynkova's case”. Sentence (September 16, 2025): 5 years' suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Karachay-Cherkessia · NULL · Unemployed · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
5 years
suspended imprisonment
Upheld December 16, 2025
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, in the period from 2019 to 2023, having been aware of the liquidation, in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, of the religious organisation "Management Centre of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" and its affiliated local religious organisations, including the "Local Religious Organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses of Nevinnomyssk" in connection with extremist activities and the ban on the activities of such associations, she voluntarily took part in the said banned organisation operating on the territory of the Zelenchuksky district. Organised meetings and worship services at which she preached sermons and taught classes on the basics of illegal religious activities and literature, and kept at her place of residence technical means, including mobile devices, with the help of which she continued to study and promote the benefits of the followers of the banned religious teachings.
Latest event
December 16, 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 · 5 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Iuliia Pasynkova's case
Criminal case
Iuliia Pasynkova's case
- Case number
- 1-38/2025
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Stavropol. On 9 August 2024, hew house was searched. It became known that a case was opened against her for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to her involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles exclusively because of religious activities: holding meetings and worship services, attracting new supporters.
On 18 September 2025, Pasynkova was sentenced to a five-year suspended sentence.
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.