Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Sri Lanka
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May/27/2023
Date of Release: July/6/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Expression about Religion Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Nathasha Edirisooriya was detained for blasphemy.
On May 27, 2023, police arrested and detained Edirisooriya after receiving a complaint that she made jokes insulting to Buddhism and Christianity during a stand-up comedy show.
On May 28, 2023, authorities charged Edirisooriya with "uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings" (Sec. 291A SLPC), "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 291B SPLC), and "propagating war and advocating national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" (Sec. 3 Sri Lankan ICCPR Act, No. 56 2007).
On July 5, 2023, the Colombo High Court granted Edirisooriya bail.
On July 6, 2023, Edirisooriya was released on bail.
Additional Name(s): Víctor Ticay
Gender: Male
Current Location: Sistema Penitenciario Nacional Jorge Navarro, Tipitapa
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/6/2023
Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations
Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition
Victor Ticay is imprisoned for covering religious issues.
On April 6, 2023, police arrested and detained Ticay, a journalist, for recording a banned Easter celebration in Nandaime and posting the footage online.
On May 19, 2023, prosecutors reportedly charged Ticay with "undermining national integrity" and "spreading fake news."
On June 9, 2023, a judge found Ticay guilty of both charges and transferred him to Sistema Penitenciario Nacional Jorge Navarro in Tipitapa, a prison also known as "La Modelo."
On August 15, 2023, Ticay was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Related cases: Emmanuel Gutiérrez, Jimmy Antonio Bonilla
Photo attributed to Voice of America (VOA)
Additional Name(s): Aydar Ilkhamovich Sageyev
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/23/2021
Date of Sentencing: March/13/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Aydar Sageyev is imprisoned for his religious activity.
On November 23, 2021, authorities arrested Sageyev for meeting to study the writings of Said Nursi. Authorities accused him of organizing a banned "Nurdzhular" cell in Naberezhnye Chelny between 2020-2021, seeking out new members, and possessing religious literature.
On March 13, 2023, the Naberezhnyye Chelny City Court sentenced Sageyev to two years and six 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).
Related Cases: Khunar Agayev
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in the Russian Federation July 2023
"RUSSIA: Jailed for meetings 'to understand the Koran [and] strengthen his faith'" Forum 18
"В Татарстане двоих последователей Саида Нурси приговорили к реальным срокам, одного — к условному" OVD-Info
"Вынесен приговор последователям Саида Нурси из Набережных Челнов" SOVA Center