Cruel Treatment of Anna Safronova in Penal Colony

Anna Safronova, 59, one of Jehovah's Witnesses, convicted for her faith, is subjected to inhumane treatment in penal colony No. 7 in Zelenokumsk (Stavropol Territory), and she also does not receive proper medical care. The reason she was treated this way was her refusing to wear the Saint George's ribbon (a patriotic symbol in Russia) because of her religious beliefs.

Safronova has been in the colony for 2 years and 9 months. During 2024, her blood pressure began to rise noticeably; one day she lost consciousness during the lineup. She also has severely swollen and painful legs.

Particular pressure on the believer began after she refused to wear the Saint George's ribbon at the request of the penal colony staff. After that, Safronova was placed in a punishment cell on a fabricated violation — food was planted in her personal belongings.

"Anna tried to explain to the administration staff that she is one of Jehovah's Witness and remains politically neutral," Safronova's lawyer said. Yaroslav Sivulsky, a representative of the European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses, explained: "Believers respect the state. They do not encroach on the right of other people to have political convictions, to honor state, patriotic or any other symbols as they see fit. At the same time, the Witnesses are convinced that Jehovah God is the supreme ruler, and his laws are superior to those of the secular authorities. They adhere to this Christian position regardless of the country of residence and the current political system. That is why they do not riot, do not participate in wars and patriotic ceremonies. Ignorance or misunderstanding of this historically proven truth leads to unmotivated cruelty, which is what happens to Anna Safronova."

From April 29 to May 14, 2024, Anna was kept in a punishment cell, where she was placed with a severe cough. Safronova was not given medication — this triggered a more severe bronchitis. Soon she was again sent to the punishment cell for refusing to wear the Saint George's ribbon. According to the lawyer, in December 2024, Anna was forbidden to occupy the available lower bunk: "Anna was forced to climb onto the upper bunk through pain every time."

On March 22, 2025, after the morning lineup, Anna was taken to a stuffy, windowless room and forced to stand continuously for 10 hours. "Before that, all the furniture was taken out of the room so that Anna could not sit down. And it is forbidden to sit on the floor by the internal regulations, for violation of which a penalty is imposed. After receiving a penalty, the prisoner loses the right to early release, and the conditions of detention are also toughened for him," the lawyer said. By evening, the believer's legs were very swollen and severely bruised. The next day, Anna was again taken indoors, and this time she stood for 13 hours without being able to sit down. During all this time, she was allowed to go to the toilet only once. As a result of such treatment, she became ill, but she was not allowed to see a doctor. Now it is difficult for her to walk. "When she asked why she was being tortured like this, she was told: 'You haven't been tortured yet,'" Anna's lawyer quoted her words. The next day, the lawyer had to call an ambulance for her, which turned out to be the only way to "rescue Anna from the premises with such unbearable conditions."

On March 26, 2025, the defender sent a complaint to the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Sovetsky City District of Zelenokumsk with a request to appoint a forensic medical examination, initiate a criminal case and bring officials to justice. But on March 27, Anna was again sent to the punishment cell on trumped-up charges — for 20 days.

Anna Safronova became the first female, Jehovah's Witness, in Russia to be sentenced to a record long prison term of 6 years in prison for her faith in God. Supposedly, she should leave the penal colony in August 2027.

The situation with Anna Safronova is not the first case of cruel treatment of Russian Jehovah's Witnesses in prison. On March 20, 2025, 67-year-old Valeriy Baylo died in pretrial detention center No. 3 in Novorossiysk — his requests for medical care and hospitalization went unanswered.