Another Guilty Verdict for One of Jehovah’s Witness in Moscow — This Time Court Fines 75-Year-Old Believer

A fine of 500,000 rubles — that was the sentence announced to Nadezhda Lebed by the Savyolovskiy District Court of Moscow on December 12, 2025, just a few weeks after a similar ruling against Maria Pankova. The trial of Nadezhda lasted about six months.

"I have worshipped Jehovah for almost 30 years. He is the main support for me and my family," the believer told the court at the final hearing. "From the very beginning, since 1995, and to this day, nothing has changed in my service to God. I still read His Word, the Bible, pray to God, and sing songs of praise." Nadezhda is convinced that her prosecution is groundless and considers her views to be the exact opposite of extremism. "I am an honest person; I had no criminal intent. I am a Christian and fear God, with whom I do not want to spoil my good relationship," she added.

The criminal prosecution began with a search in April 2025 — the second for Nadezhda's family (law enforcement officers had come to her in 2021 as part of the Mareyev case). On that day, officers also came to Pankova. Both women were accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organization because of their faith.

"The trials took a lot of strength, health, and resources from me," Nadezhda recalls. "During this period, I was taken to the hospital, to the cardiology department. And I am still undergoing treatment." The criminal prosecution also brought financial difficulties into her life. "I had been saving part of my pension for a 'rainy day'," she said. "The 'rainy day' came, but I cannot use the funds."

In October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights considered complaints from several Jehovah's Witnesses who faced persecution because of their faith. The court ruled that searches, arrests, restrictions on freedom, confiscation of property, and charges of extremism for peaceful religious activity were unlawful.