Another Sentence for Faith in Tolyatti. The Court Gave a Suspended Sentence to 62-year-old Yelena Kozhevnikova

On March 4, 2024, Irina Onuchina, judge of the Central District Court of the city of Tolyatti, found Yelena Kozhevnikova guilty of extremism and gave her a 2-year suspended sentence for "actively participating in the activity of the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses through video conferencing."

The prosecutor had requested 4 years of imprisonment for the believer.

Regarding the charges, Kozhevnikova stated that she does not pose any public danger, as she respects people of any nationality and religion as well as the laws of the state. "This what the Bible teaches, which for me is the most important law," the believer highlighted. "I do not think that talking about God and Bible principles in any way violates the constitutional order or threatens state security."

The criminal prosecution of Yelena began in May 2023, following searches that took place simultaneously at several addresses of Jehovah's Witnesses in Tolyatti. The Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against the believer, and she was placed under a recognizance agreement. Already within 2 months, the case went to court. The charge was based on the testimony of a secret witness and hidden video recordings of meetings for worship.

In the Samara Region, 10 Jehovah's Witnesses have already been prosecuted, one of whom was sentenced to 8 years in prison for their faith, and four more to 7 years in a penal colony.