Agnessa Postnikova
Agnessa Postnikova, born 1963, Jewish Autonomous Oblast. 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); “Third case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan”. Sentence (July 1, 2024): Four years and six months of conditional imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, April 18, 2021.
In brief
Jewish Autonomous Oblast · Birobidzhan · Service workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 6 months
Four years and six months of conditional imprisonment.
First instance, April 25, 2022: 5 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
Together with Oleg Postnikov, she formed a criminal group, approving the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious organization and sharing its extremist goals. They both joined the local religious organization.
Latest event
July 24, 2026 — removed from the rosfinmonitoring list
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre, April 18, 2021
Timeline
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Third case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan
Criminal case
Third case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan
Other defendants in the case
- Oleg Postnikov — At large, 5 years 6 months
Thematic group: The third case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan
Details and sources
Full summary
On the 17th of May 2018, a search was conducted at Postnikova's residence. On the 12th of February 2021, a case was initiated against her for her alleged participation in the activities of an extremist organization, and on the 17th of February, she faced further charges for involvement in such activities. In March, she agreed to a hold departure order.
On the 25th of April 2022, she received a five-year suspended sentence. However, on the 11th of October, the appellate court overturned the verdict and sent the case back for review.
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.