Snezhana Bazhenova

Extra Bio Info:

Snezhana Bazhenova was detained for her religious belief and activity.

On August 19, 2018, authorities arrested Bazhenova, an educator, after police raided her home.  

On August 21, 2018, Bazhenova was released. 

Later that month, Bazhenova was placed on recognizance. 

In November 2019, the Elizovsky District Court tried Bazhenova for allegedly “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC). The court sent the case back to prosecutors to review after not establishing sufficient grounds for prosecution.

On September 25, 2020, the Elizovsky District Court lightened the charged leveled against Bazhenova to “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC) and sentenced her to two years of suspended imprisonment, three years of probation, and six months of restricted freedom.  According to prosecutors, Bazhenova held religious services. 

On November 17, 2020, the Kamchatka Regional Court denied Bazhenova's appeal. 

On January 18, 2022 the Kamchatka Regional Court acquitted Bazhenova.

On January 31, 2023, the Kamchatka Territorial Court overturned Bazhenova's acquittal and re-imposed her two-year suspended sentence.

On September 12, 2023, the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Vladivostok upheld Bazhenova's suspended sentence.

Bazhenova is married.