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

On March 4, 2024, the judge of the Central District Court of the city of Tolyatti, Irina Onuchina, found Yelena Kozhevnikova guilty of extremism and sentenced her to 2 years of suspended sentence for "active participation in the activities of the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses through video conferencing."

The prosecutor requested 4 years of imprisonment for the believer.

In her attitude to the accusation, Kozhevnikova stated that she does not pose any public danger, as she respects people of any nationality and religion, the laws of the state. "This is taught by the Bible, which for me is the most important law," the believer emphasized. "I do not think that talking about God and biblical principles in any way violates the constitutional order or poses a threat to 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 opened a criminal case against the believer, and she was taken a written undertaking not to leave the city. Within 2 months, the case went to court. The accusation was based on the testimony of a secret witness and hidden video recordings of worship services.

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 prison.