A court in Karachay-Cherkessia sentenced 59-year-old Jehovah's Witness Elena Menchikova to 4.5 years of suspended imprisonment. She was found guilty under the article on participation in extremist activities.
At the trial, the woman stated that she was found guilty only for studying the Holy Scriptures, consisting of collective singing of songs, prayers, and studying articles of religious content.
According to investigators, Menchikova’s actions undermined security and threatened the integrity of the state. She participated in meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses and kept relevant literature. The accused did not deny that she professes the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, calling it her constitutional right. However, she noted that she has nothing to do with politics and has never undermined Russian statehood.
