Valentina Samus
Valentina Samus, born 1949, Kostroma Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Case of Valentina Samus on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities”. Sentence (December 19, 2023): 6 years of suspended imprisonment. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Kostroma Oblast · Kostroma · Pensioners · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
of suspended imprisonment
Upheld February 28, 2024
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, Samus organised the activities of a banned religious Jehovah's Witnesses organisation in Kostroma. The investigation believes that she "carried out a search" and then stored Jehovah's Witnesses literature in her flat and distributed it. In addition, according to the investigation, the defendant provided the flat for meetings, religious gatherings, collective worship services, and sermons and took part in such meetings herself.
Latest event
March 6, 2024 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
Case of Valentina Samus on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Criminal case
Case of Valentina Samus on participation in Jehovah's Witnesses activities
Details and sources
Full summary
A pensioner, resident of Kostroma. On 15 March 2022 in Kostroma, officers of the Investigative Committee searched the homes of four women, three of them of retirement age, including Samus. A case was opened against her for organising the activities of an extremist organisation. On 19 December 2023, Samus was sentenced to 6 years of suspended imprisonment.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.