Popova's case in Cherkessk Rimma Popova

 RUSSIA

Popova's case in Cherkessk

Rimma Popova

Updated: November 16, 2023

Name: Popova, Rimma Mukharbievna

Date of Birth: August 22, 1968

Current status: accused

Article of the Russian Criminal Code: 282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (2)

Spent in custody: 1 day in temporary holding facility, 42 days under house arrest

Current restrictions: house arrest

Biography

Rimma Popova from Cherkessk, a woman who has a good reputation among colleagues, friends, and neighbors, was prosecuted in October 2023 for her belief in Jehovah God.

Rimma was born in August 1968 in the village of Psyzh (Karachay-Cherkessia). She was the only child in the family. Her father and mother worked as cooks, they are no longer alive. As a child, Rimma went to music school, and also did gymnastics.

After school, Rimma completed accounting courses. She worked as a cashier, then as a cash register, and later as a cook. Before the criminal prosecution, she worked as a hospital matron in a private medical clinic, but then she was placed under house arrest.

Rimma's parents were believers and from childhood instilled religious values in their daughter. Once, as an adult, Rimma watched a movie about Jesus Christ, which touched her deeply. Some time later, the woman met Jehovah's Witnesses, they introduced her to the Bible. The biblical knowledge she had received, as well as her love and appreciation for God, prompted her to embark on the Christian path in 2012.

Rimma is divorced and has two adult children, a daughter and a son who lives with her. In her free time, the woman likes to walk in nature, and she is still fond of music.

The criminal prosecution caused stress and affected the health of the believer, which causes distress in her children. They do not understand how their mother, whom everyone respects and appreciates, could be accused of extremism.

Brief history of the case

In October 2023, Rimma Popova from Cherkessk was charged with extremism. For talking about the Bible with a local resident, she is charged with involvement in the activities of a banned organization and participation in it. Earlier, in June of the same year, a search was carried out in Rimma’s house, after which the woman was placed in a temporary detention center, and then sent under house arrest for 2 months.

Timeline

Criminal case

Region:

Karachay-Cherkessia

Locality:

Cherkessk

What is suspected:

Conducted “recruitment conversations” and with her actions “undermined the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the state” (from the decision to bring her as an accused)

Criminal case number:

12302910002000116

Initiated:

October 4, 2023

Current stage of the case:

Preliminary investigation

Investigates:

Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Karachay-Cherkess Republic

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (2)