Case of Saveliyeva in Seversk

Case History

In March 2021, investigator A. G. Kolpakov opened a criminal case against Elena Savelyeva, a teacher with 40 years of experience, accusing the elderly woman of recruiting and involving others in the activities of an extremist organization. The case was based on the testimony of the FSB agent Klisheva and the employee of the Russian Guard Studenova, who pretended to be interested in the Bible - the women kept hidden audio and video recordings of conversations and worship. In June 2021, the case was transferred to the Seversky City Court of the Tomsk Region for consideration by Judge Svetlana Chebotareva. In October 2021, the prosecutor requested a fine of half a million rubles for Savelyeva. A month later, the court found the 80-year-old woman guilty and sentenced her to 4 years of probation. The Court of Appeal upheld the verdict in February 2022.

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    March 25, 2021

    Investigator for especially important cases of the Investigation Department of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation A. G. Kolpakov initiates a criminal case for faith against 79-year-old Elena Savelyeva. The investigation believes that the elderly woman committed "inducement, recruitment and other involvement of persons in the activities of an extremist organization" (part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

    The basis for initiating a criminal case against the believer was the testimony of FSB agent Kira Klisheva and Rosgvardia officer Yelena Studenova, who portrayed an interest in the Bible. The latter recorded conversations with Elena on biblical topics. Later, Studenova collected data on Elena Savelyeva's fellow believers and passed the information received to law enforcement agencies.

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    June 22, 2021

    The case against Elena Savelyeva is being submitted to the Seversky City Court of the Tomsk Region for consideration by Judge Svetlana Chebotareva, who is also hearing the case against another believer from Seversk, Yevgeny Korotun.

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    August 24, 2021

    None of the listeners are allowed into the courtroom due to the epidemiological situation.

    Certificates and letters of thanks received by Elena over the years of work are attached to the case. The court rejects the motion to adjourn the hearing and call defense witnesses and proceeds to the interrogation of the defendant.

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    October 12, 2021 Prosecutor requested punishment

    The prosecutor is requesting a fine of 500,000 rubles for 80-year-old Elena Savelyeva.

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    November 17, 2021 First Instance Sentence

    Elena Savelyeva gives her last word.

    On the same day, Judge Svetlana Chebotareva pronounces a sentence: 4 years of suspended sentence.

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    February 7, 2022 Court of Appeal

    Elena Savelyeva speaks in the Court of Appeal with her last word. The judge interrupts it and postpones the hearing to February 14.

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    February 14, 2022 Court of Appeal

    The Tomsk Regional Court upheld the decision of the lower court. The verdict has entered into force.