Lyudmila Shchekoldina

Additional Name(s): Lyudmila Ivanovna Shchekoldina, Щеколдина Людмила Ивановна

Gender: Female

Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Krasnodar

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 4 Years, 1 Month's Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/23/2022

Date of Sentencing: May/23/2022

Date of Release: April//2026

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Lyudmila Shchekoldina

Extra Bio Info:

Lyudmila Shchekoldina was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On May 23, 2022, the Pavlovsky District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Shchekoldina to four years and one month in prison for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC) and “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). Shchekoldina was accused of trying to convince someone to become a Jehovah's Witness and for discussing the Bible. She was taken into custody following the verdict.

On October 6, 2022, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Shchekoldina's sentence.

On March 23, 2023, the Fourth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Krasnodar upheld Shchekoldina's sentence.

On August 7, 2023, Shchekoldina was admitted to a hospital for an operation. Shchekoldina reportedly received permission for the surgery in February 2023 but prison authorities delayed her medical case, despite her suffering from severe pain.

In April 2026, Shchekoldina was released from prison. 

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