Served Sentences

Sergey Tolokonnikov from Moscow, Released from Penal Colony — But Now His Wife is Under Investigation for Her Faith

Moscow,   Vladimir Region

On June 27, 2025, the prison term of Sergey Tolokonnikov, 52, ended — 3 years in a pretrial detention center and 9 months in a penal colony. To the delight of the believer he was met by his wife and many friends on the day of his release.

"I have mixed feelings... Although I knew that I was about to be released there was also the feeling of excitement. I knew that God would help me," said Sergey. His wife, Mariya Pankova, added: "Although Sergey and I have not fully grasped what is happening, I am overjoyed!"

Sergey and his wife Mariya on the day of his release, June 27, 2025
Sergey and his wife Mariya on the day of his release, June 27, 2025

Being separated was difficult for the couple. At first, the investigator banned visits for 8 months; later only brief meetings through glass and bars. "Life was on hold... I became like a bird missing one wing, unable to fly," Mariya said. The couple were allowed an extended visit only a month before his release. "He looked like a youthful old man," she recalls. "He lost more than 20 kilograms, had problems with his skin and indigestion."

"There were difficult moments," Sergey agreed, "but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined." According to the believer, a good attitude is half the battle; therefore, once behind bars, he tried to find at least five positive things in each day.

A few months before his release, Tolokonnikov learned that a criminal case had also been initiated against Mariya. "I was very upset; I immediately started praying to God for help. Okay, it's one thing for me, but for Mariya — or anyone else — I don't want that. It's a very serious test, since I know what she might be facing."

In October 2024, another defendant in Sergey's criminal case, Roman Mareyev, was released. Anatoliy Marunov, 71, continues to serve his sentence in a penal colony in the Tambov Region.

The Case of Mareyev and Others in Moscow

Case History
In October 2021, the Investigative Committee conducted at least eight searches in different districts of Moscow and the Moscow Region. Anatoliy Marunov, Sergey Tolokonnikov and Roman Mareyev were detained and sent to a temporary detention facility. Later, Mareyev and Tolokonnikov were placed in a pretrial detention center, and Marunov was placed under house arrest. A criminal case was initiated against them under an article for extremism. In June 2022, the case went to court. The charge was based on recordings made by an FSB agent who pretended to be interested in the Bible. In July 2023, the defendants were sentenced: 69-year-old veteran of work Marunov – 6.5 years, 50-year-old Tolokonnikov – 5 years, and 45-year-old Mareyev – 4.5 years in a penal colony. A year later, the court of appeal toughened Tolokonnikov’s sentence, adding 2 months to his term. Roman Mareyev was released in October 2024, and Sergey Tolokonnikov — in June 2025.
Timeline

Persons in case

Mareyev
Roman
Marunov
Anatoliy
Tolokonnikov
Sergey

Criminal case

Region:
Moscow
Locality:
Moscow
Suspected of:
"acted as heads and communicative leaders of the religious organization, by organizing and conducting discussions, monitoring presentations of participants, commenting on passages of text read out" (from the ruling to charge)
Court case number:
12102450011000104
Initiated:
October 20, 2021
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Department for Investigating Especially Important Cases of the Investigative Directorate for the Northern Administrative District of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the City of Moscow
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-0123/2023 (10-0997/2022)
Court of First Instance:
Savelovskiy District Court of the City of Moscow
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Dmitriy Zozulya
Case History
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