Another Guilty Verdict in Vyselki. Believer, 62, Given Suspended Sentence

On September 30, 2025, the court gave Natalya Novoseletskaya a 2-year suspended sentence. Judge Yelizaveta Proskuryakova found the pensioner guilty of participating in extremist activity.

Natalya does not admit guilt. "I hold my head up when walking along the streets, because I know I will never meet anyone whom I have deceived, robbed or slandered," she said, adding: "I am sure that Bible principles will never harm anyone, because they are always based on love."

The appointed lawyer is also convinced of her innocence. Natalya noted: "We have different beliefs, but she stood up for the Bible and for God's name. She explained that I have nothing to do with extremism. During the closing arguments, she smashed each point of the charge to pieces."

Vasilina Penskaya and Irina Ushakova were among those who came to support Natalya on the day of the verdict. September 30, 2025

Those around her did not turn her backs on Natalya and supported her in every possible way throughout the 1.5 years of the criminal prosecution. For example, a neighbor who was a testifying witness during the search gave her phone to Natalya after her one was confiscated; this way Natalya could stay in touch with her loved ones. Friends also showed they cared. "On the day when the first hearing was held, I had a table filled with all kinds of chocolate — they brought me as a gift," she recalls. "That's how my 'sweet life' began."

The Vyselkovskiy District Court is hearing the cases of 14 other Jehovah's Witnesses, 11 of them are awaiting the verdict. Natalya and her fellow believers try to attend every court hearing to support each other. The woman emphasized: "In my opinion, these trials did more than just bring us closer — we became a family."