Case History
In October 2025, a resident of Birobidzhan, Yelena Shestopalova, 60, learned that a criminal case had been initiated against her for reading the Bible with friends. Her home was searched. In March 2026, the case went to court.
The Case of Shestopalova in Birobidzhan
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FSB investigator, Captain of Justice Dmitry Yankin opens a criminal case against Yelena Shestopalova for participating in the activities of an extremist organization.
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Olga Klyuchikova, judge of the Birobidzhan District Court, allows a search in the home of Yelena Shestopalova, 60, the mother of Vladlena Kukavitsa, who has been on trial for her faith for more than 1 year.
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The catch case against Elena Shestopalova goes to the Birobidzhan District Court of the Jewish Autonomous Region.
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Hearings in the case of Elena Shestopalova are beginning.
The prosecution proceeds to examine the written evidence. A significant part of the documents does not relate to the charges. Thus, materials for 2015 are read out (which goes beyond the incriminated period), as well as extensive documents related not to Yelena, but to Oleg Postnikov, including search protocols and lists of property seized from him. Positive references from Elena's place of work and a letter of thanks from the governor are announced.
During the speech of the state prosecutor, Shestopalova repeatedly asks for the floor and states that he is not telling the truth. Thus, the prosecutor claims that the seized hard drive contains a recording of a meetings for worship, but the case file indicates that this is not the case. The judge requires the prosecutor to find this information and voice reliable information.