Lyudmila Shchekoldina
Lyudmila Shchekoldina, born 1976, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code (Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization); “The case of Lyudmila Shchekoldina”. Sentence (May 22, 2022): Four years' and one month's deprivation of liberty in a general regime colony, with deprivation of the right to engage… Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since May 23, 2022; place of detention: Penal colony No. 28, Volgograd Oblast. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion, December 11, 2020; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · Pavlovskaya · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
4 years 1 month
Four years' and one month's deprivation of liberty in a general regime colony, with deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the organisation of and participation in voluntary associations and groups for a period of three years and restriction of liberty for a period of one year and eight months
Upheld March 22, 2023
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1.1, Russian Criminal Code — Involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
engaged in propaganda and missionary activities in "home" groups in two districts of Kuban, as well as involving other persons in unlawful activities
Latest event
April 16, 2026 — imprisonment begins
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, December 11, 2020
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial Human Rights Centre
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Krasnodar Krai
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years 1 month
· Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
The case of Lyudmila Shchekoldina
Criminal case
The case of Lyudmila Shchekoldina
Thematic group: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Krasnodar Krai
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 28, Volgograd Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
404621, Волгоградская область, г. Ленинск, ул. Промышленная, 12, ФКУ "ИК № 28 УФСИН России по Волгоградской области", Щеколдина Людмила Ивановна, 1976 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
On 29 April 2020, Shchekoldina's home is searched. She is charged with involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with a statement by a man named Ilchenko, whom Jehovah's Witnesses believe to be a secret service agent, that Shchekoldina had tried to involve him in the activities of an extremist organisation. A signature of non-departure was taken.
On 23 May 2022, sentenced to four years and one month in a general regime colony. On 15 April 2026, Shchekoldina was released.
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.