Larisa Serdtseva
Larisa Serdtseva, born 1975, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Shakhunia”. Sentence (January 30, 2026): 2 years and 6 months’ suspended sentence. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · NULL · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years 6 months
2 years and 6 months’ suspended sentence
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Latest event
January 30, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years 6 months.
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 6 months
· Persecution begins
The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Shakhunia
Criminal case
The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Shakhunia
Other defendants in the case
- Zhanna Zhavoronkova — At large, 2 years 6 months
- Nina Smirnova — At large, 2 years 6 months
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region, she was employed by a cleaning company. On 16 April 2024, she was summoned for questioning. She was subsequently charged with participating in the activities of an extremist organisation in connection with her involvement in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under extremism legislation solely for practising their religion — holding meetings and worship services, and seeking to attract new adherents. On 30 January 2026, Serdtseva received a suspended sentence of two and a half years.
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.