The Case of Serdtseva and Others in Shakhunya

Case History

In February 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated a criminal case against unidentified persons for participating in the activity of an extremist organization. At the time, searches were carried out at 7 addresses in the cities of Shakhunya and Gorodets and the village of Vakhtan. Nina Smirnova, Larisa Serdtseva, and Zhanna Zhavoronkova became suspects. In November 2024, the believers were prosecuted for participating in the activities of an extremist organization. Zhanna’s interrogation took place in the hospital room where she had been after suffering a stroke.
Timeline

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    Search Interrogation Elderly Minors Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2) Health risk

    The deputy head of the investigation department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lieutenant Colonel of Justice S. N. Galyamov, initiates a criminal case against unidentified persons for participation in the activities of an extremist organization.

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    Interrogation

    The investigator summons Larisa Serdtseva and Nina Smirnova for questioning as suspects. They ask to postpone the investigation until an agreement is concluded with a lawyer, their request is granted.

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    Art. 282.2 (2)

    T. A. Smirnova, senior investigator of the Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Shakhunya, charges Larisa Serdtseva and Nina Smirnova with committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

    The indictment ruling states that they "held conversations and sermons with the residents of the city of Shakhunya, and also 'participated in religious meetings.'

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    Art. 282.2 (2) Health risk

    The head of the investigation group, investigator Smirnova, in the ward of the Shakhun Central District Hospital, interrogates Zhanna Zhavoronkova, who is there after suffering a stroke. The investigator announces to the believer that she has been charged under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

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