Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Served Sentences

The Court Refused to Early Release 70-year-old Valentina Baranovskaya From the Colony, Despite Her Serious Illness

Khakassia

On October 18, 2021, the Ust-Abakan District Court of the Republic of Khakassia refused to release 70-year-old Valentina Baranovskaya, convicted of her faith, from the colony. The assigned term of imprisonment for the believer expires in January 2023.

In June 2021, Valentina filed a petition for release from serving her sentence on the basis of Article 81 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Release from punishment due to illness." Baranovskaya's defense provided the court with a medical report confirming the diagnosis.

Back in the summer of 2020, Valentina was diagnosed with cerebral infarction. Despite this, after the verdict was passed, the woman was placed in the Detention Center No. 1 of Abakan, where she spent about four months.

The elderly believer's lawyer appealed to various authorities to draw attention to the situation of the sick woman in the remand prison.

In June 2021, Valentina was transferred to a colony to serve a 2-year sentence. After additional examinations, she was prescribed the necessary medications. “The attending physician visited Valentina in the colony and issued his opinion. The administration of the colony agreed with him, they give her everything that is prescribed, they treat her every day. The therapist and the head of the medical unit treat her well. The treatment is good for her,” the lawyer told the believer.

Meanwhile, Valentina's son Roman Baranovskiy is in correctional colony No. 3 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Trans-Baikal Territory, where he will have to spend about 5 and a half more years just because he did not give up his faith in Jehovah God.

Case of Baranovskiy in Abakan

Case History
In April 2019, the investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation A. Pachuev opened a criminal case against Roman Baranovsky and his mother, Valentina. At the same time, armed law enforcement officers searched their house. Believers from Abakan were accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization and participating in it. In the summer of 2020, the case was submitted to the Abakan City Court. Against the background of severe stress, Valentina had a stroke. In February 2021, Judge Yelena Shcherbakova found the believers guilty and sentenced Roman to 6 years in prison and Valentina to 2 years. The 70-year-old believer became the first woman Jehovah’s Witness in Russia to be sentenced to actual imprisonment. The Supreme Court of Khakassia upheld this decision. In the fall of 2021, despite Valentina’s serious illnesses, the court denied her early release. Her repeated petition was granted, and on May 4, 2022, Valentina was released. Roman continues to serve his sentence in a penal colony.
Timeline

Persons in case

Baranovskaya
Valentina
Baranovskiy
Roman

Criminal case

Region:
Khakassia
Locality:
Abakan
Suspected of:
According to the investigation, they committed actions aimed at continuing illegal activities, expressed in the convening of meetings, the organization of preaching activities
Court case number:
11902950002000052
Initiated:
April 10, 2019
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department for the city of Abakan of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Krasnyarskiy Territory and the Republic of Khakassia
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-34/2021 (1-707/2020)
Court:
Abakan City Court of the Republic of Khakassia
Judge:
Yelena Shcherbakova
Case History
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