One of Jehovah's Witnesses Sona Olopova Was Released Early in Tolyatti

Sona Olopova, 38, was released on parole and left the correctional facility on July 7, 2025. She became the first Jehovah's Witness in Russia to serve a sentence of forced labor.

The believer has been imprisoned since May 2024. During this time, she has been put into two correctional centers. She was assigned to various jobs: at first, Sona was engaged in the production of automotive parts, then she was transferred to the production of ice cream, and at the end of the term she was employed in the correctional center itself.

According to Sona, she is far from factory work - before the criminal trial, she combined work in trade and the beauty industry (make-up, styling, etc.). "It was scary: I came to the workshop, and there were these huge rattling machines," she recalls. " "But over time, I even liked it there."

Sona's hard work did not go unnoticed: she was awarded certificates for professionalism, initiative, activity and integrity. In addition to the assigned work, the believer participated in volunteer work at the local center for patients with cerebral palsy. "Thank you for your open, kind, sympathetic heart," the administration of the institution wrote in a letter of thanks.

Although forced labor is a milder punishment than imprisonment, it is fraught with various difficulties. Sona says: "Other living conditions, video cameras were everywhere, the lack of personal space, stress... I was worried so as not to violate any rules of routine. And the most difficult thing was separation from my husband."

According to Sona, the staff and inmates of the correctional center, colleagues at the workplace, and even some experts who worked with her as a convict were sincerely indignant when they learned that she had been convicted for her faith as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. "Many people know the Witnesses firsthand. Most of those I met understood that faith is an inalienable human right and cannot be judged for it. Sona said. "Other convicts saw my good attitude towards people and my conscientious work, they also understood that I was behind bars for nothing, and treated me very well."

Throughout the criminal prosecution, Olopova's family and friends supported her: "Many friends took care of me, but especially, to tears, I was touched by the attention of one family. They are almost as old as my parents. This couple has done so much for me that they have become like second parents to me." She also warmly recalls how her father regularly brought fresh food, which she shared with other convicted women. "When they found out about his next arrival, they said: "Oh, tomorrow our dad is coming," Sona said.

Olopova is one of the few believers who was able to receive parole. Her husband, Anatoliy, spoke about his impressions after the court decision: "Sona and I were in a stupor at first, we did not expect. After the searches, the world changed for us, there were many trials, I lost peace. And here is a positive decision! I saw that the hand of Jehovah is not short."

In Tolyatti, three more women Jehovah's Witnesses have been convicted for their beliefs. They are serving suspended sentences.