Updated: March 28, 2024
Name: Zakharova Aleksandra Konstantinovna
Date of Birth: October 1, 1990
Current status: Defendant
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)

Biography

In September 2021, peaceful believer Aleksandra Zakharova was prosecuted as a defendant in the case against Jehovah's Witnesses in Berezovsky.

Aleksandra was born in October 1990 in Novosibirsk. She grew up as a versatile and inquisitive girl: she attended choreography and swimming classes, went to the art studio and sang in the choir, and also organized themed holidays for family and friends.

As a child, Aleksandra wondered why people die. From the Bible, she learned that death is unnatural for a person and in the future it will not. She also came to the conclusion that world history confirms the fulfillment of the prophecies recorded in this book. All this prompted her to embark on the Christian path.

Aleksandra and her husband enjoy going to theaters and museums, traveling, meeting friends. She also reads a lot, loves to cook, give gifts, listen to music and take care of animals.

The criminal prosecution was a great shock for Aleksandra. Now every knock on the door makes her deeply anxious. Relatives of a believer consider it unfair that a respectable girl could face a prison sentence for reading the Bible.

Case History

In October 2020, the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Sverdlovsk Region opened a criminal case against Konstantin Zotov and Natalia Kochneva from the city of Berezovsky. Shortly thereafter, a series of searches took place in the homes of 10 believers. In September 2021, the investigation brought in 5 more believers as defendants - Kristina Gruzdeva, Valentina Kugukov, Alexandra Zakharova and the Fokin spouses, Stanislav and Marina. In October, another criminal case was opened against Zotov. In March 2022, a new version of the charge was brought against Konstantin — the believer is being persecuted under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation at once.