Anna Safronova
Anna Safronova, born 1965, Astrakhan Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); Article 282.3 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code (Financing extremist activities); “Anna Safronova's case”. Sentence (January 24, 2022): 6 years' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since June 2, 2021; place of detention: Penal colony No. 5, Tver Oblast.
In brief
Astrakhan Oblast · Astrakhan · Unemployed · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
imprisonment in a general regime colony
Upheld February 20, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 282.3 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code — Financing extremist activities
Full wording of the charges
personally participated in online meetings in the form of collective religious worship, singing songs and prayers to Jehovah, studying articles and watching videos
Latest event
February 20, 2023 — cassation
The court upheld the verdict.
Timeline
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №2 (SIZO-2) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Astrakhan Oblast
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
Anna Safronova's case
Criminal case
Anna Safronova's case
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 5, Tver Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
171161, Тверская область, г. Вышний Волочек, Ржевский тракт, д. 7, ФКУ «ИК № 5 УФСИН России по Тверской области», Сафронова Анна Арнольдовна, 1965 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Astrakhan. In June 2020, Safronova's home was searched. On May 28, 2021, she was prosecuted for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation and financing of such activities in connection with her involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: meetings, joint worship services, attracting new supporters.
On June 2 Safronova was searched again and detained. The next day the court decided to put her under house arrest. On January 25, 2022, she was sentenced to six years in a general regime colony.
Since 2024, the authorities started to make life unbearable in the colony for Safronova. She was twice sent to solitary confinement after she refused to wear a St George ribbon. Despite constant pain in her legs, in December 2024, Safronova was prohibited to sleep in free lower tier beds in the cell and had to climb up to the upper tier.
On 22 March 2025, after morning formation, Safronova was taken to an airless room without windows or furniture, where she had to stand for ten hours. The next day she was again taken to this room, where she stood for 13 hours and was taken to the toilet only once. Safronova felt unwell, but was not allowed to see a doctor. According to the lawyer, when she asked why she was being tortured, she was told: "You have not been tortured yet". On March 26, her lawyer sent a request to the local police department to conduct a forensic medical examination and initiate a criminal case. The next day Safronova was again placed in solitary confinement.
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.