The Case of Podlesnaya in Simferopol

Case History

In late November 2025, the investigative authorities of Simferopol opened a criminal case against Crimea resident Olga Podlesnaya — it had been separated into an independent proceeding from the case of another Jehovah's Witness, Aleksandr Voronchikhin. In December, a search was conducted at the believer's home, after which she was interrogated and placed in a temporary detention facility (IVS). She was accused of financing the activities of an extremist organization. The court placed her under house arrest. In March, the case went to court.
Timeline

Filter
  • #
    Case initiated Art. 282.3 (1)

    Senior investigator of the Investigation Department of the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee for the Republic of Crimea V. V. Zabiyaka opened a criminal case against Olga Podlesnaya, accusing her of financing the activities of an extremist organization.

    According to the investigation, the believer "transferred money as donations."

  • #
    Temporary detention facility House arrest Case initiated Art. 282.3 (1) Search Interrogation

    Podlesnaya is searched, after which the investigator interrogates the believer and sends her to a temporary detention center.

  • #
    House arrest

    The court of the Kievskiy District Court of Simferopol chooses a restriction measure for the believer in the form of house arrest.

  • #
    Case went to court

    Olga Podlesnaya's case goes to court. It will be considered by Judge Nargis Attorney.

  • #
    Hearing in a court of the first instance

    The first hearing in the case of Olga Podlesnaya is being held and chaired by Judge Nargis Poverennaya. Four witnesses for the prosecution are being questioned.

    FSB-Major Latyshev and Lieutenant Colonel Yatsenko of the Center for Combating Extremism of the Ministry of Internal Affairs report that they are not familiar with the accused and cannot provide information on her case.

    The next to be questioned is a man who has previously attended meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses. The judge and the prosecutor are interested in what the money transfer mentioned in the case was used for. The witness replies that the money was used to provide humanitarian aid to needy believers in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A defendant in another criminal case, 60-year-old Aleksandr Voronchikhin, states during interrogation that the law enforcement officers exerted psychological and physical pressure on him, trying to get the testimony they needed.

    Podlesnaya does not admit guilt and wants to express her opinion on the charge, but the judge does not give her such an opportunity.

Back to top