Extra Bio Info:

Niloofar Hamedi was imprisoned for reporting on religious freedom conditions.

On September 22, 2022, authorities raided the home of Hamedi and arrested her in relation to her reporting on the hospitalization and death of Mahsa Amini. Amini's death at the hands of morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly sparked nationwide protests opposing the state's policy of mandatory religious veiling. Hamedi was one of the first journalists to cover Amini's story and published a photo of her parents hugging in the hospital that spread rapidly online. Hamedi has been subjected to prolonged solitary confinement.

On October 28, 2022, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and the intelligence agency of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard accused Hamedi and another journalist of planning to orchestrate nationwide protests with their reporting as agents of foreign intelligence agencies.

In November 2022, a government official revealed that Hamedi had been charged with "colluding with the intention of acting against national security and propaganda against the state."

On May 30, 2023, the judiciary began Hamedi's trial.

In October 2023, it was reported that the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced Hamedi to seven years in prison for "collaborating with the hostile U.S.," five years in prison for "acting against national security," and one year in prison for "propaganda against the regime." Following appeal, Hamedi would serve seven years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

Hamedi had previously reported on another woman arrested for allegedly wearing improper hijab.

On January 14, 2024, Hamedi was granted temporary release from Evin Prison on bail pending an appeal for her sentence. Iranian state media reports that she is barred from leaving the country. 

Related Cases: Mahsa Amini, Sepideh Rashnu, Elaheh Mohammadi

Extra Bio Info:

Andrey Vlasov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 12, 2020, authorities in Prokopievsk detained Vlasov reportedly for holding discussions about the Bible. Authorities searched Vlasov's home and reportedly seized Bibles and electronics.

On July 14, 2020, Vlasov was placed under house arrest.

On May 23, 2022, the Central District Court of Prokopyevsk sentenced Vlasov to seven years 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). Vlasov is taken into custody following the verdict.

On July 26, 2022, the Kemerovo Regional Court upheld Vlasov's sentence.

On August 27, 2022, Vlasov was taken to a medical facility after suffering from bilateral pneumonia. He was later diagnosed with tuberculosis. 

On February 7, 2023, the Eighth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction (Kemerovo) upheld Vlasov's sentence.

Vlasov is reportedly disabled and suffers from heart disease.

Vlasov is married with one child.

Extra Bio Info:

Ioann Kurmoyarov is imprisoned for his religious beliefs.

On June 7, 2022, authorities arrested Kurmoyarov, a hieromonk, after he posted several videos on his YouTube channel outlining his religious opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. In the videos, he reportedly said that "those who have unleashed aggression will not be in heaven" and "if you are not disturbed by what is going on in Ukraine, this outrage, then…you are not Christians". Authorities also seized his cassock, two icons, a cross, and his electronic devices from his home. Kurmoyarov was charged with "public dissemination, under the guise of credible statements, of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in order to protect the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens [and] maintain international peace and security, as well as about the exercise by state bodies of the Russian Federation of their powers outside the territory of the Russian Federation for those purposes…for reasons of political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or for reasons of hatred or enmity against any social group" (Art. 207.3-2d RCC).

In March 2023, it was reported that Kurmoyarov's health had been deteriorating in prison. Kurmoyarov alleged in court that his requests for doctors' appointments had not been fulfilled. He also stated that his hearing and sight have gotten worse.

On August 31, 2023, the Kalininsky District Court of St. Petersburg sentenced Kurmoyarov to three years in prison and prohibitted him from publishing online for two years.

On February 15, 2024, the St. Petersburg City Court upheld Kurmoyarov's sentence.

Kurmoyarov reportedly has hypertension.