Svetlana Zharkova
Svetlana Zharkova, born 1964, Khabarovsk Krai. Charges: Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur”. Sentence (September 30, 2025): 2 years' imprisonment, suspended. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion.
In brief
Khabarovsk Krai · Komsomolsk-on-Amur · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
2 years
imprisonment, suspended
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
October 17, 2025 — imprisonment begins
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as persecuted for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Criminal case
The second case of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
- Case number
- 1-44/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Vasily Bondarev — At large, 2 years
- Irina Bondareva — At large, 2 years
- Marina Voitko — At large, 2 years
- Mikhail Dorofeev — At large, 6 years
- Nikolay Kovadnev — At large, 6 years
- Ivan Nikitin — At large, 2 years
- Sergei Sachnev — At large, 2 years
- Ulita Sachneva — At large, 2 years
- Radion Shitov — At large, 6 years
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Zharkova’s home was searched on 25 May 2023 as part of a criminal investigation into her alleged involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation, linked to her participation in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community.
Members of this community have been prosecuted under extremist legislation solely for practising their faith — including holding meetings, conducting worship services, and sharing their beliefs with others.
On 1 October 2025, the court sentenced Zharkova to 2 years’ probation.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.