Irina Shishkina from Prokopyevsk Given a Suspended Sentence. Less Than a Month Ago Her Husband Was Sentenced to 6 Years in a Penal Colony

On June 29, 2026, the Rudnichniy District Court of Prokopyevsk issued a 2.5-year suspended sentence to Irina Shishkina, 56, for participating in peaceful meetings for worship. The same court, in early June, sentenced her husband, Vasiliy, to imprisonment on similar charges.

'If faith makes a person honest, peaceful, law-abiding, and caring toward others, what is the danger in it?' Irina asked the court. In her final statement, she also stated her position regarding the charge: 'I did not harm anyone, did not incite violence, did not disturb public order. I was simply reading the Bible, praying, speaking about God, and trying to live as Jesus Christ taught.'

Irina's and Vasiliy's criminal cases developed in parallel: for about 2 years, their homes were under surveillance; in January 2025, a search of their homes was conducted. At first, Irina was listed as a witness in her husband's case, and because of this, they were forbidden to communicate — for almost 1.5 years, the couple was forced to live apart. Criminal prosecution against Irina herself was initiated in December 2025.

A similar pattern of persecution — first, charges are brought against one family member, then against others — has been used in cases against Jehovah's Witnesses for several years.