Updated: July 26, 2024
Name: Piskareva Tatyana Nikolayevna
Date of Birth: April 30, 1956
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (2)
Current restrictions: forced labor
Sentence: punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 2 years 6 months, punishment in the form of imprisonment to be replaced by forced labor for a term of 2 years 6 months, with restriction of liberty for a term of 6 months
Currently held in: correctional center at the colony-settlement No. 3 in Oryol Region
Address for correspondence: Piskareva Tatyana Nikolayevna, born 1956, UFITS for FKU KP No 3 in Orlov Region, ul. Pobedy, 29, s. Shakhovo, Orlov Region, Russia, 303222

Letters of support can be sent by regular mail.

Note: discussing topics related to criminal prosecution is not allowed in letters; languages other than Russian will not pass.

Biography

Tatyana Piskareva was prosecuted for her faith about a year after her husband, Vladimir, was jailed on charges of extremism.

Tatyana was born in 1956 in the village of Belenikhino (Belgorod Region). She has a younger sister. The parents are no longer alive. As a child, Tatyana loved skiing, listening to music, dancing, singing and writing poetry.

After school, Tatyana completed accounting courses and worked in her specialty, she also worked in the technical control department of the repair shop.

Tatyana was introduced to the Bible and its teachings by a neighbor. The woman was impressed that the truths of this book were simple and clear. The warm attitude of other believers towards her strengthened Tatyana's faith and prompted her to embark on the Christian path in 1995.

Tatyana met her future husband Vladimir while visiting a friend. They got married in 1976. The couple raised two children: a son and a daughter. The whole family loved to go fishing.

Tatyana is a sociable person. She enjoys spending time with friends, as well as visiting beautiful places, playing billiards and table tennis.

The Piskarevs moved around a lot. They managed to visit many cities and regions of Russia—from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Rostov-on-Don. For some time they lived in Armenia. Later they settled in Orel.

Due to the persecution, Tatyana's health deteriorated, now she needs to take medication regularly. Relatives worry about Tatiana and Vladimir and support them.

Case History

In December 2020, raids in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses took place in Oryol. The home of Vladimir Piskarev and Tatyana Piskareva was among those broken into by security forces. Vladimir was arrested. In October 2021, Tatyana also became a defendant in a criminal case for believing in Jehovah God. The believer was charged for participating in peaceful meetings for worship. In March 2023, the case went to court. Eleven interrogation witnesses for the prosecution reported that they had not known Tatyana, had not received any literature from her and had not heard any extremist appeals from her. A year later, Tatyana was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months of forced labor. In May 2024, the court of appeal upheld this decision.