Nina Smirnova
Nina Smirnova, born 1950, 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 6 months' suspended sentence of imprisonment. 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
suspended sentence of imprisonment
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
- Larisa Serdtseva — At large, 2 years 6 months
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region. On 16 April 2024, she was summoned for interrogation. Later she was accused of 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 and attracting new supporters. On 30 January 2026, Smirnova was sentenced to a two and a half year suspended sentence.
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.