Anna Safronova, 59, a Jehovah’s Witness, convicted for her faith, is subjected to inhuman treatment in penal colony No. 7 in Zelenokumsk (Stavropol Territory), and she also does not receive proper medical care. The reason for this punishment was that her religious beliefs prevented her from wearing the St. George ribbon (a patriotic symbol).
Safronova has been in the colony for 2 years and 9 months. During 2024, her blood pressure began to rise noticeably and one day she even lost consciousness. She also has pathologically swollen and painful legs.
Punished for refusing to wear a military symbol
Particular pressure on the believer began after she refused to wear the St. George ribbon.
After that, Safronova was placed in a punishment cell on a fabricated violation – food was planted in her personal belongings.
The St George ribbon is a component of many high military decorations awarded by the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation.
In the early 21st century, the ribbon of Saint George has come to be used for commemorating the veterans of the Eastern Front of WW II. It is the primary symbol used in association with Victory. It enjoys wide popularity in Russia as a patriotic symbol, as well as a way to show public support to the Russian government.
Yaroslav Sivulsky, a representative of the European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses, explained: “Believers respect the state. They do not encroach on the right of other people to have political convictions, to honor state, patriotic or any other symbols as they see fit. At the same time, the Witnesses are convinced that Jehovah God is the supreme ruler, and his laws are superior to those of the secular authorities. They adhere to this Christian position regardless of the country of residence and the current political system. That is why they do not riot, do not participate in wars and patriotic ceremonies. Ignorance or misunderstanding of this historically proven truth leads to unmotivated cruelty, which is what happens to Anna Safronova.”
Repeated punishments and ill-treatment on trumped-up charges
Such sanctions in a detention center cannot exceed 15 days for one violation, but the prisoner can be kept there longer, appointing new penalties under the pretext of other violations. This was the case of Safronova.
From April 29 to May 14, 2024, Anna Safronova was kept in a punishment cell, where she was placed with a severe cough. Safronova was not given any medication – this provoked an increase in bronchitis. Soon she was again sent to the punishment cell for refusing to wear the St. George ribbon. According to the lawyer, in December 2024, Anna was forbidden to take free seats on the lower tier of beds: “Due to the pain, Anna was forced to climb onto the upper tier every time.”
On March 22, 2025, after the morning formation, Anna was taken to a stuffy, windowless room and forced to stand continuously for 10 hours. “Before that, all the furniture was taken out of the room so that Anna could not sit down. And it is forbidden to sit on the floor by the internal regulations, for violation of which a penalty is imposed. After receiving a penalty, the prisoner loses the right to early release, and the conditions of detention are also toughened for him,” the lawyer said.
Critical health conditions
By the evening, her legs got very swollen and bruised on them. The next day, Anna was again taken indoors, and this time she stood for 13 hours without being able to sit down. During all this time, she was allowed to go to the toilet only once. The next day, the lawyer had to call an ambulance for her, which turned out to be the only way to “get Anna out of the premises with unbearable conditions.”
On March 26, 2025, her defender sent a complaint to the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Sovetsky City District of Zelenokumsk with a request to appoint a forensic medical examination, initiate a criminal case and bring officials to justice. But on March 27, Anna was again sent to the punishment cell on trumped-up charges – for 20 days.
Anna Safronova became the first female Jehovah’s Witness, in Russia to be sentenced to a record long prison term of 6 years in prison for her faith in God. Presumably, she should be released from the colony in August 2027.
The situation with Anna Safronova is not the first case of mistreatment of Russian Jehovah’s Witnesses in prison. On March 20, 2025, 67-year-old Valeriy Baylo died in pre-trial detention center No. 3 in Novorossiysk — his requests for medical care and hospitalization remained unanswered.
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