Elena Rumyantseva
Elena Rumyantseva, born 1972, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Elena Rumyantseva's case”. Sentence (October 15, 2025): 2 years' suspended imprisonment with restriction of liberty for 6 months. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
suspended imprisonment with restriction of liberty for 6 months
No information about an appeal ruling.
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, she "directly participated in religious-educational classes and sermons .... took part in conversations and religious discussions with other participants, participated in the discussion of "Holy Scripture" (the Bible)... read religious books aloud to other participants"
Latest event
October 15, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Elena Rumyantseva's case
Criminal case
Elena Rumyantseva's case
- Case number
- 1-13/2025 (1-51/2024; 1-184/2023;)
Thematic group: The second case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Vyselki (Krasnodar region), a seamstress. In February 2022, her home was searched. On June 15, 2023, she was prosecuted for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to her 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 to attract new supporters. In August 2023, Rumyantseva was given a non-departure undertaking.
On 15 October 2025, the court sentenced her to 2 years' suspended imprisonment.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- travel ban (written undertaking)
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.