The Case of Dolinina in Dormidontovka

The investigator for particularly important cases of the Vyazemsky Interdistrict Investigation Department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region, Y. A. Vasetskaya, initiates a criminal case under Part 1.1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation against 76-year-old Liliya Dolinina and decides to search the home of the believer "in order to find and seize means of communication and electronic media that may contain information about the crime committed." The document also states that "the preliminary investigation body believes that this case should be recognized as exceptional, in connection with which the search of the home cannot be delayed and should be carried out immediately."

Early in the morning, searches are carried out at three addresses in Dormidontovka. The security forces come to Lilia Dolinina, another woman and an elderly man.

Electronic devices, a Bible, and sheets of paper "containing handwritten text with information about Jehovah's Witnesses" were seized from Lilia. The believer is charged with the fact of "involving [a person] in the activities of the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses." After the search, the pensioner is interrogated for 5 hours in the investigation department.

According to Lilia, FSB officers also visit her son's roommate and confiscate from her letters of support that the believer sent to the woman, sharing biblical principles with her.

The Vyazemsky District Court of the Khabarovsk Territory recognizes the search conducted at Liliya Dolinina's house as lawful.

The investigator for particularly important cases of the Investigative Committee for the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region, Major of Justice G. S. Kopylova, initiates a criminal case against Liliya Dolinina and combines it with another case opened against her in February 2023. Now the believer is accused not only of involvement, but also of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. This is how the investigation interprets the correspondence of the elderly woman with her acquaintances on religious topics.

Liliya Dolinina's case is submitted to the Vyazemsky District Court of the Khabarovsk Territory. It will be considered by judge Ksenia Matviyevskaya.

The court orders the suspension of the criminal case due to the defendant's serious illness requiring bed rest.

Court hearings resume after a 4-month break.

The lawyer voices the defendant's written testimony: "I believe that writing personal letters to people close to me is not a crime. I could not even imagine that in my country in the 21st century I would be tried for personal correspondence at the age of 78."

Referee: Ksenia Matvievskaya. Vyazemsky District Court of the Khabarovsk Territory (4 Kozyukova Street, Vyazemsky). Time: 10:30 a.m.

The Khabarovsk Regional Court upholds the sentence of Liliya Dolinina - 4.5 years suspended term - for personal correspondence with an acquaintance on everyday and religious topics. The lawyer insisted that the woman was only exercising her right to freedom of religion and asked the court to acquit and rehabilitate her.

The woman herself noted in her complaint: "I am already 78 years old, my health has been severely undermined by the investigation and the courts, my chronic illnesses have worsened... But according to the verdict, I still have to go by train several times a month to report to the inspectorate in the city of Vyazemsky, which is very difficult for me." Liliya said about her feelings: "I think with horror that I will have to live the rest of my life with the stigma of an 'extremist'."