Wives of Prisoners of Conscience from Blagoveshchensk Sentenced to Forced Labor

On December 6, 2024, the Blagoveshchensk City Court announced the conviction of four women, Jehovah's Witnesses. Judge Stanislav Stanishevskiy sentenced them to different terms of punishment for their faith: Kristina Golik and Valentina Yermilova — 2.5 years each, and Mariya Myasnikova and Yekaterina Olshevskaya — two years and two months of forced labor with the deduction of 10% of the salary to the state.

Searches, interrogations, arrest of relatives and separation from them — according to the recollections of believers, they went through a lot during the six years of criminal prosecution of their families. Husbands of Golik, Yermilova and Olshevskaya were sentenced to long terms for their faith. In addition to that, Yekaterina's father also faced such a fate. "It's incredibly hard for me to see my little son, who has just begun to speak, asking me where his dad is," said Ekaterina Olshevskaya. "I was emotionally exhausted by the constant participation in court hearings related to the criminal cases of my father, husband, and now my own case." The execution of Olshevskaya's sentence was postponed for about 10 years, until her son reaches the age of 14.

The FSB accused the women of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. The investigation considered holding worship services, discussing the Bible with friends and friendly meetings in a café to be illegal actions. Valentina Yermilova commented on the accusation as follows: "I have nothing to justify myself to. I didn't hurt anyone in any way. There were no victims. I did not take part in extremist actions. In our country, everyone has the right to freedom of religion." Mariya Myasnikova echoed her: "My faith is the complete opposite of extremism. It teaches you to love people, respect authority and be a peacemaker."

Hearings in the case began in May 2023. During the entire period of the preliminary and judicial investigation, the believers were under recognizance not to leave. Even while in the colony, the husbands of the defendants assured their wives of love and support through letters. Friends also helped the believers. "Despite the heat, rain and frost, they came to the courthouse, always with smiles and words of encouragement," Yermilova said.

In the Amur Region, 24 of Jehovah's Witnesses have already faced criminal prosecution. In at least 5 families of believers, several people were under investigation - spouses, brother and sister, father and daughter. The trend of persecution of relatives who are Jehovah's Witnesses has been gaining momentum in other regions in recent years.