Name: Dolinina Liliya Mikhailovna
Date of Birth: September 12, 1946
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (2)
Sentence: Imprisonment for a term of 4 years 6 months with restriction of liberty for a term of 1 year 2 months, imprisonment shall be considered suspended with a probationary period of 2 years
Died during prosecution

Biography

In her old age, Liliya Dolinina, a widow from the village of Dormidontovka, was searched, interrogated and prosecuted for her religious beliefs. In February 2023, a criminal case was initiated against the woman. The accusation was based on letters that Liliya sent to an acquaintance. "In the correspondence there were words from the Bible with a wish to get to know this book better and, as a result, become happier," said the believer.

Liliya was born in September 1946 in the city of Obluchie, Jewish Autonomous Region. There were three children in the family. In childhood and adolescence, Liliya skied professionally. She was attending a sports club, participating in competitions, and preparing to receive the title Master of Sports, but her wedding changed her plans.

Liliya finished a secretarial course. For several years before retiring, she worked at a factory as a crane operator. She gave birth to two sons. After the death of her second husband, the woman lived alone.

Although none of her close relatives shared her views, Liliya loved to read the Bible and has lived by its standards since 2000. She was especially touched by the fulfilled prophecies in this book. Reflections on the Holy Scriptures helped the believer not to lose heart. Due to problems with her heart, vision and hearing, it was difficult for Liliya to participate in court hearings, so they were interrupted for several months. A month after the court of appeal, in August 2025, the woman died.

Case History

In the village of Dormidontovka, in February 2023, law enforcement officers conducted searches in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against 76-year-old believer Liliya Dolinina on suspicion of involvement in the activities of an extremist organization and participation in it. The investigation based the accusation on letters that Liliya wrote to her son’s friend to help them restore their relationship. In March 2024, the case went to the district court, and in January 2025, the believer was given a 4-year and 6-month suspended sentence. The appeal upheld this verdict. After 3 months, Lilia Dolinina passed away.
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