Additional Name(s): Vitaliy Viktorovich Komarov, Комаров Виталий Викторович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 6 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/24/2020
Date of Sentencing: March/31/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Vitaliy Komarov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On November 24, 2020, authorities in Moscow detained Komarov following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused accused of having discussions about the Bible.
On November 27, 2020, Komarov was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.
On March 31, 2023, the Babushkinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Komarov to six years and three months in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC). Komarov was taken into custody following the verdict.
On April 10, 2024, the Moscow City Court upheld Komarov's sentence.
Related Cases: Vardan Zakaryan, Ivan Chaykovskiy, Yuriy Chernyshev, Sergey Shatalov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Ivan Chaykovskiy" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Chaykovskiy and Others in Moscow" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Мосгорсуд утвердил приговор по делу пяти Свидетелей Иеговы" SOVA Center
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in the Russian Federation July 2023
"Moscow Court Sentences Five Jehovah's Witnesses to 4 to 6 Years in Colony" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia