Irina Ushakova
Irina Ushakova, born 1974, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Irina Ushakova's case”. Sentence (July 4, 2025): 3 years' deprivation of liberty, suspended; 2 years' probationary period; 10 months' restriction of liberty; prohibition… Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · NULL · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
3 years' deprivation of liberty, suspended; 2 years' probationary period; 10 months' restriction of liberty; prohibition on participating in activities associated with the work of public religious organisations and associations
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, Ushakova "took a direct part in religious education classes and sermons... entered into conversations and religious discussions with other participants, participated in discussions of the content of Jehovah's Witnesses religious books, including the so-called "Holy Scriptures" (Bible)... read Jehovah's Witnesses religious books aloud to other participants, emphasising that these books contained correct knowledge of God".
Latest event
July 4, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years.
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
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Irina Ushakova's case
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
Irina Ushakova's case
- Case number
- 1-44/2025 (1-174/2024;)
Thematic group: The third case of Jehovah's Witnesses in Vyselki
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Vyselki (Krasnodar region). A criminal case was brought against her for participation in the activities of an extremist organisation due to her involvement in a Jehovah's Witnesses community. Ushakova was given a covenant not to leave the country.
Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely for religious activities: holding meetings and worship services and attracting new supporters.
On 4 July 2025, the court sentenced her to a two-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.