Additional Name(s): Oleg Ivanovich Danilov, Данилов Олег Иванович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: March/30/2021
Date of Sentencing: March/30/2021
Date of Release: March/1/2024
Current Status: Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Oleg Danilov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On March 30, 2021, the Krasnodar Territory Abinsky District Court sentenced Danilov to three years in prison for “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). Authorities reportedly accused Danilov of participating “in religious teaching and sermons...through information and telecommunication networks,...entered into discussions in a collective discussion of the Bible,...read aloud to other participants the religious books Jehovah's Witnesses, with an emphasis on the fact that that these books contain the correct knowledge about God... ”. Danilov was taken into custody following the verdict.
On May 25, 2021, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Danilov's sentence.
In October 2021, it was reported that Danilov had been arbitrarily placed in a punishment cell for alleged prison violations.
On March 1, 2024, Danilov was released from prison after completing his sentence.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Oleg Danilov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Danilov in Kholmskaya" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Oleg Danilov, imprisoned for his faith, unjustly sent to a punishment cell" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"An Appeal in Krasnodar Upheld the Sentence to Oleg Danilov - 3 Years in Prison for Faith" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A Krasnodar Territory-based peaceful believer Oleg Danilov is sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a correctional colony for practicing his religion" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Roman Lyubomirivich Baranovskiy, Барановский Роман Любомирович
Gender: Male
Current Location: Penal Colony No. 3, Trans-Baikal
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: April/10/2019
Date of Sentencing: February/24/2021
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 Praying Religious Activity Religious Belief Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Roman Baranovskiy is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On April 10, 2019, authorities in Abkan arrested Baranovskiy following raids on the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses.
On February 19, 2020, Baranovskiy is 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 February 24, 2021, the Abakan City Court sentenced Baranovskiy to six years in prison. Baranovskiy's prosecution reportedly stemmed from his religious activities, including singing songs, praying communally, and discussing the Bible with people at his home.
On May 24, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Khakassia upheld Baranovskiy's sentence.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Baranovskiy in Abakan" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The verdict came into force: Valentina Baranovskaya, 70, Is Sentenced to a Penal Colony for Two Years, Her Son is Sentenced for six years. They Are Jehovah's Witnesses" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In Khakasia, a 70-year-old Woman Was Sentenced to 2 Years in a Penal Colony for Faith. Her Son Was sentenced to 6 Years in a Colony. They Are Jehovah's Witnesses" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A Khakassia prosecutor requests a record-breaking eight-year prison sentence for Roman Baranovskiy for practicing his faith and a five-year sentence for his mother" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Searches and Criminal Case for Faith in Khakassia" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Andrey Leonidovich Andreyev, Andreev Andrey, Андреев Андрей Леонидович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 4 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/16/2019
Date of Sentencing: June/3/2021
Date of Release: February/22/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Andrey Andreyev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On October 16, 2019, authorities in Kursk arrested Andreyev following raids on the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses.
On June 3, 2021, the Kursk Industrial District Court sentenced Andreyev to four 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).
On January 20, 2022, the Kursk Regional Court upheld Andreyev's sentence.
On January 12, 2023, the First Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Andreyev's sentence.
On February 22, 2023, Andreyev was released from prison.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Andrey Andreyev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Andreyev and Others in Kursk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A Kursk Appeals Court Upheld the Sentence of Five Believers, Including a Woman. Andrey Ryshkov has Served his Sentence and was Released" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In Kursk, a Court Sentenced Five Believers. Four of Them, Including a Woman, Were Assigned From 2 to 4.5 Years in Prison" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Mass Searches and Detentions of Witnesses in Kursk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia