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Lyubov Kocherova
Retired persons
1958-05-10
At large
village of Knyaze-Volkonskoye
Biography
Since April 2020, a resident of the village of Knyaze-Volkonsky, acting on instructions from the FSB, had been secretly recording conversations about the Bible with Lyubov Kocherova and Lyubov Ovchinnikova.
Two years later, a criminal case was opened against the pensioners on charges of participating in and facilitating the activities of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under Russia’s anti-extremism laws solely for their religious activities — holding meetings, conducting worship services, and attracting new followers.
In March 2023, the case was submitted to the court. In August 2023, Kocherova received a 6-year suspended sentence. In December 2023,
Since April 2020, a resident of the village of Knyaze-Volkonsky, acting on instructions from the FSB, had been secretly recording conversations about the Bible with Lyubov Kocherova and Lyubov Ovchinnikova.
Two years later, a criminal case was opened against the pensioners on charges of participating in and facilitating the activities of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. Members of this community are prosecuted under Russia’s anti-extremism laws solely for their religious activities — holding meetings, conducting worship services, and attracting new followers.
In March 2023, the case was submitted to the court. In August 2023, Kocherova received a 6-year suspended sentence. In December 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned the sentence and sent the case for a new trial. On 20 January 2025, Kocherova received a 5.5-year suspended sentence.