Rimma Popova
Rimma Popova, born 1968, Karachay-Cherkessia. 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 Rimma Popova on involvement in Jehovah's Witnesses activities”. Sentence (January 20, 2025): 4 years 6 months' suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Karachay-Cherkessia · Cherkessk · Cooks · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 6 months
suspended imprisonment
No information about an appeal ruling.
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 investigation, she conducted "recruitment talks" and by her actions "undermined the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the state".
Latest event
January 20, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 4 years 6 months.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years 6 months
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
The case of Rimma Popova on involvement in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Criminal case
The case of Rimma Popova on involvement in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Cherkessk. In June 2023, her house was searched, after which she was placed in a temporary detention centre and then sent under house arrest for two months in a case of participation and involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with 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 October 2023, she was indicted. In November 2023 Popova's preventive measure was replaced with a ban on certain actions. Later it was reported that she may have suffered a heart attack while under house arrest.
On 20 January 2025, Popova was sentenced to four and a half years suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- ban on certain activities
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.