Additional Name(s): Yuriy Aleksandrovich Yakovlev, Яковлев Юрий Александрович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/29/2022

Date of Sentencing: March/17/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Yuriy Yakovlev

Extra Bio Info:

Yuriy Yakovlev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On March 29, 2022, authorities in Sosnovoborsk detained Yakovlev following searches on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused of “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) for "organizing religious performances and services via online broadcasts."

On March 17, 2023, the Sosnovoborsk City Court of the Krasnoyarsk Territory sentenced Yakovlev to six years and two months in prison.

On May 21, 2024, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court upheld Yakovlev’s sentence.

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Additional Name(s): Lyudmila Ivanovna Shchekoldina, Щеколдина Людмила Ивановна

Gender: Female

Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Krasnodar

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 4 Years, 1 Month's Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/23/2022

Date of Sentencing: May/23/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Lyudmila Shchekoldina

Extra Bio Info:

Lyudmila Shchekoldina is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On May 23, 2022, the Pavlovsky District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Shchekoldina to four years and one month in prison for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC) and “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). Shchekoldina was accused of trying to convince someone to become a Jehovah's Witness and for discussing the Bible. She was taken into custody following the verdict.

On October 6, 2022, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Shchekoldina's sentence.

On March 23, 2023, the Fourth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Krasnodar upheld Shchekoldina's sentence.

On August 7, 2023, Shchekoldina was admitted to a hospital for an operation. Shchekoldina reportedly received permission for the surgery in February 2023 but prison authorities delayed her medical case, despite her suffering from severe pain.

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Additional Name(s): Aleksader Filatov, Aleksadr Nikolayevich Filatov, Alexander Filatov, Филатов Александр Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/13/2021

Date of Sentencing: December/28/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Filatov

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Filatov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 13, 2021, authorities in Vladikavkaz detained Filatov after accusing him of holding religious services. Filatov was charged with “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).

On December 28, 2022, the Oktyabrskiy District Court in Krasnoyarsk sentenced Filatov to six years in prison.

On July 20, 2023, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court upheld Filatov's sentence.

Filatov is married with two children.

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