Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

New Raids Against Believers in Karachay-Cherkessia and Stavropol. Three women Became Suspects in Cases for Extremism

Karachay-Cherkessia,   Stavropol Territory

On August 9, 2024, searches were carried out in three homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in Karachay-Cherkessia and Stavropol. It is already the third invasion of the homes of believers by the security forces. Three criminal cases were initiated under Article 282.2(2) of the RF CrC.

In the village of Kardonikskaya, searches were carried out at the homes of Maria Ogoreva, 62, and her daughter Svetlana, as well as at Tatyana Pasynkova, 59, the mother of Aleksey Pasynkov. On the same day in Stavropol, FSB officers searched the house of Aleksey, this time in the case against his wife Yulia. The couple are raising a disabled child who is completely dependent on the help of his parents.

The criminal cases against Maria, Tatyana and Yulia were initiated on July 23, 2024. They are being investigated by Senior Lieutenant of Justice A.A. Khasanov, who works for the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic.

The Pasynkovs and the Ogorevs have been under prosecution since 2019. Their cases develop according to a similar pattern: first, the believer himself is suspected, and then his family members are prosecuted.

The Case of Yuliya Pasynkova in Mednogorskiy

Case History
In July 2024, the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against Yuliya Pasynkova and her mother-in-law Tatyana, on suspicion of participating in the activity of an extremist organization. A few days later, her house was searched — the third time since November 2021, when a criminal case was initiated against her husband, Aleksey. The couple are raising a son with a disability, who is completely dependent on the help of his parents. At the end of December 2024, the case went to court. After the recusal of two judges, the case was transferred to the court of another district. In September 2025, Yuliya was given a 5-year suspended sentence.
Timeline

Persons in case

Pasynkova
Yuliya

Criminal case

Region:
Karachay-Cherkessia
Locality:
Mednogorskiy
Suspected of:
"Participated in the activity of a religious organization... under the direction and control of the organizer of the activity of the religious association... remotely via technical equipment, took part in individual studies, meetings — collective meetings for worship" (from the ruling to charge).
Court case number:
12402910004000075
Initiated:
July 23, 2024
Current case stage:
verdict did not take effect
Investigating:
Zelenchukskiy Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Karachayevo-Circassian Republic
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-38/2025 (1-12/2025; 1-72/2024)
Court of First Instance:
Khabezkiy District Court of the Karachayevo-Circassian Republic
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Nariman Abdokov
Case History

The Case of Tatyana Pasynkova in Mednogorsk

Case History
In July 2024, the Investigative Committee initiated criminal cases for participating in the activity of an extremist organization against Tatyana Pasynkova from Kardonikskaya and her daughter-in-law Yuliya. A few days later, law enforcement officers searched her house. A year earlier, law enforcement officers had already invaded her home — that search was part of a criminal case against her son Aleksey Pasynkov. In December, the case went to court. After the self-recusal of two judges, the case was transferred to the court of another district, where the judge was replaced for the third time. In October 2025, Tatyana was given a 4-year suspended sentence.
Timeline

Persons in case

Pasynkova
Tatyana

Criminal case

Region:
Karachay-Cherkessia
Locality:
Mednogorskiy
Suspected of:
"...participating in the activity of a religious organization... under the direction and control of the organizer of the activity of the religious association... remotely via technology, took part in individual classes, meetings — joint meetings for worship" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case).
Court case number:
12402910004000073
Initiated:
July 23, 2024
Current case stage:
verdict did not take effect
Investigating:
Zelenchukskiy Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Karachayevo-Circassian Republic
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-37/2025 (1-14/2025; 1-74/2024)
Court of First Instance:
Khabezskiy District Court of the Karachayevo-Circassian Republic
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Aslanbek Tuarshev
Case History

The Case of Maria Ogoreva in Mednogorsky

Case History
In 2021 and 2023, Mariya Ogoreva was searched as part of criminal cases against Aleksey Pasynkov and her daughter Svetlana. In July 2024, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case for participation in the activities of an extremist organization against Mariya herself, and in August of the same year, the pensioner was searched for the third time. In December, the investigator brought charges against the believer and took from her a recognizance not to leave. The case went to local court, but after repeated self-recusal of the judges, it was transferred to another city, located almost 80 km from Mariya's place of residence.
Timeline

Persons in case

Ogoreva
Mariya

Criminal case

Region:
Karachay-Cherkessia
Locality:
Mednogorskiy
Suspected of:
"continued to study and promote the advantages of the followers of the religious teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses [...] maintained contacts with persons professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses ... for the purpose of participating in worship services and studying the Holy Scriptures (Bible)" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12402910004000074
Initiated:
July 23, 2024
Current case stage:
trial in court of first instance
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-28/2025 (1-13/2025; 1-73/2024)
Court of First Instance:
Karachayevskiy District Court
Judge:
Melek Bayramkulova
Case History
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