Extremist Charge for Faith for Two Crimean Women. A Case Was Opened Against Them, Both Are Under House Arrest

On December 12, 2025, two women professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses were detained in the Crimean city of Saki. Their homes were searched; a criminal case was initiated. Yelena Ivashina, 50, and Olga Podlesnaya, 54, were sent under house arrest by the Kiev District Court of the city of Simferopol.

The women's case has been separated from Voronchikhin's case, which is currently being heard in the Simferopolskiy District Court. According to available information, Ivashina has already been charged with financing the activities of an extremist organization.

Now, 33 more Crimean Jehovah's Witnesses have been prosecuted. Twelve of them are serving sentences in penal colonies, one in prison, and another in forced labor.