Larisa Potapova
Larisa Potapova, born 1964, Sakhalin 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); “The case of Jehovah's Witnesses' in Iturupa”. Sentence (January 15, 2026): 4 years and 11 months' imprisonment, suspended with restriction of liberty for 1 year and 11 months. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Sakhalin Oblast · NULL · Security guards · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 11 months
4 years and 11 months' imprisonment, suspended with restriction of liberty for 1 year and 11 months
First instance, March 25, 2025: 2 years 6 months
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
Participated in the activities of an extremist organisation, discussed biblical topics with her village neighbour.
Latest event
January 15, 2026 — 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
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 6 months
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses' in Iturupa
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
The case of Jehovah's Witnesses' in Iturupa
Other defendants in the case
- Olga Kalinnikova — At large, 5 years
Details and sources
Full summary
On 23 November 2023, Potapova’s home was searched. She was placed under a travel restriction as part of a case concerning her alleged participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. In April 2024, it became known that an additional charge of involvement in such activities had been brought against her. On 25 March 2025, Potapova received a suspended sentence of two and a half years. However, on 10 July 2025, the court of appeal overturned the sentence. Following a new review, on 29 October the court imposed a suspended sentence of four years and eleven months.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.