Yurenkova case in Togliatti Yelena Yurenkova

 RUSSIA

Yurenkova case in Togliatti

Yelena Yurenkova

Updated: September 17, 2023

Name: Yurenkova, Yelena Viktorovna

Date of Birth: October 5, 1970

Current status: defendant

Article of the Russian Criminal Code: 282.2 (2)

Current restrictions: recognizance agreement

Biography

Elena Yurenkova, a peaceful believer, was unexpectedly accused of extremism in May 2023. The reason was her beliefs - the woman has been studying the Bible for more than 20 years.

Elena was born in 1970 in Tolyatti. She grew up surrounded by the warmth and care of her family. His father worked at a factory, his mother was a paramedic. As a family, they often vacationed outside the city in nature. Grandfather and grandmothers, despite their modest income, were always happy to have guests. They instilled in Elena hospitality and generosity.

Even in her teenage years, Elena thought about the inevitability of death. A particular blow was the tragic death of her cousin, whom everyone loved very much. The girl tried to find answers to the questions that worried her about God by reading Russian classical literature and later, while studying at the institute, the works of philosophical scientists. But, according to her, she only became more confused.

In the late 1990s, Elena decided to get acquainted with the Bible. She was amazed by God's design for the earth and people and touched by the biblical counsel to treat each other with kindness, understanding and love. In 1999, Elena made Christian norms her main life principles.

Elena's husband, Yuri, shares her views. The couple have been married since 2000. “He takes care of me, we have many common interests: we like to be in nature, photograph beautiful places and animals, ride bicycles, listen to classical music,” says the believer. The couple have a good relationship with their adult daughters.

The criminal prosecution causes bewilderment among Elena's relatives and friends.

Brief history of the case

Elena Yurenkova became a defendant in a criminal case for her faith when searches took place in Tolyatti in May 2023. She was given a written undertaking not to leave the place. The Investigative Directorate for the Samara Region accused the woman of participating in an extremist organization in connection with her peaceful meetings with fellow believers. The basis for initiating a criminal case was the hidden video recording of religious services, which was conducted for 2.5 years. In July 2023, the case went to trial.

Timeline

Criminal case

Region:

Samara Region

Locality:

Tolyatti

What is suspected:

“took active actions by taking an active part in the activities of the organization... through participation in collective meetings... at which the ideology... of the religious organization was discussed” (from the resolution on bringing her as an accused).

Criminal case number:

12302360032000241

Initiated:

May 15, 2023

Current stage of the case:

trial in court of first instance

Investigates:

Investigative Directorate of the Russian Federation Investigative Committee for the Samara Region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)

Court case number:

1-524/2023

Court of First Instance:

Central District Court of Tolyatti

Judge of the trial court:

Anastasia Fedorova