Сhaplykina Marina

Name: Сhaplykina Marina Stanislavovna
Date of Birth: February 16, 1971
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (2), 282.3 (1)
Time spent in prison: 2 day in a temporary detention facility, 291 day in a pre-trial detention
Current restrictions: detention center
Sentence: punishment in the form of 4 years of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to engage in organizational activities in public or religious associations, public or religious organizations, with restriction of liberty for a period of 6 months, with serving a sentence of imprisonment in a correctional colony of general regime
Currently held in: Detention Center No.1 for Novosibirsk Region
Address for correspondence: Сhaplykina Marina Stanislavovna, 1971 born, Detention Center No.1 for Novosibirsk Region, Ul. Karavaeva, 1, Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Region, 630010

Letters of support can be sent by regular mail or through the «zonatelecom».

Note: discussing topics related to criminal prosecution is not allowed in letters; languages other than Russian will not pass.

Biography

In April 2019, a criminal case was opened against Marina Chaplykina from Novosibirsk under an extremist article, her house was searched, and the woman was placed on a recognizance agreement. After almost two years of trials, the believer was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Marina was born in 1971 in Novosibirsk. She raised her daughter alone, trying to instill in her the qualities that are valued in society: honesty, kindness, love for people. Marina worked as a hairdresser for many years. Employees and customers appreciated her for her quality work and kind attitude.

As a child, Marina heard from her grandmother that God exists and watches over every person. Growing up, she began to read the Bible and look for answers to difficult life questions in it. After a long search, her perseverance was rewarded. Love for God and the Bible prompted Marina to embark on the Christian path.

The news of the criminal prosecution not only shocked Marina's family and friends, but also deprived the woman of her favorite job, and, consequently, her livelihood. Her family does not understand why law-abiding citizens are persecuted for their faith.

Marina herself declared her innocence in court as follows: "Since I was guided by my faith, the laws of our state . . . there are no consequences that would be dangerous for society, then I consider myself innocent before God and before the state."

Case History

Even before the prosecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses began in Russia, a certain “Ivan” attended meetings for worship in Novosibirsk and studied the Bible. In 2018, he began to cooperate with the FSB and collect information about the believers. In April 2019, FSB officers invaded the homes of residents, and planted banned books in some of them. A criminal case was initiated, Aleksandr Seredkin and Valeriy Maletskov were placed under house arrest. Marina Chaplykina was placed under a recognizance agreement. Later, the case of Seredkin was made into a separate proceeding, Maletskov was charged with organizing extremist activity, and Chaplykina was accused of participating in and financing it. After 3 years of investigation, the case went to court. In December 2023, the court sentenced Maletsky to 6 years and Chaplykina to 4 years in a penal colony.
Timeline