Additional Name(s): Denis Nikolayevich Antonov, Антонов Денис Николаевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/25/2022
Date of Sentencing: August/25/2022
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
Denis Antonov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On March 14, 2019, authorities initiated a criminal case against Antonov 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). The accused him of engaging in proselytizing activities by discussing his religion with people in public.
On August 25, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk sentenced Antonov to two years in prison. He was taken into custody following the verdict.
On January 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Mordovia upheld Antonov's sentence.
On October 17, 2023, the First Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Antonov's sentence.
ntonov is married.
Related Cases: Elena Nikulina, Georgiy Nikulin, Aleksandr Shevchuk, Aleksandr Korolev, Vladimir Atrуakhin
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Denis Antonov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Court of Cassation Upheld the Verdict of Six Believers from Saransk. One Of Them Will Be Released in November" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Appeal Court Upheld the Verdict Against Six Believers From Saransk.They Will Spend 2 to 6 Years in a Penal Colony" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A Mordovia Court Sentenced Six Saransk-Based Jehovah's Witnesses, Including a Woman, to Two to Six Years in Prison for Practicing Their Faith" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Atryakhin and Others in Saransk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Searches Conducted in Saransk. Father of Young Children Is Detained." Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Aleksander Korolev, Aleksandr Yevgeniyevich Korolev, Королёв Александр Евгеньевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/25/2022
Date of Sentencing: August/25/2022
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
Aleksandr Korolev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On March 20, 2019, authorities initiated a criminal case against Korolev 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). The accused him of engaging in proselytizing activities by discussing his religion with people in public.
On August 25, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Saransk sentenced Korolev to two years in prison. He was taken into custody following the verdict.
On January 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Mordovia upheld Korolev's sentence.
On October 17, 2023, the First Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Korolev's sentence.
orolev is married with one child.
Related Cases: Elena Nikulina, Georgiy Nikulin, Aleksandr Shevchuk, Denis Antonov, Vladimir Atrуakhin
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Aleksandr Korolev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Court of Cassation Upheld the Verdict of Six Believers from Saransk. One Of Them Will Be Released in November" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Appeal Court Upheld the Verdict Against Six Believers From Saransk.They Will Spend 2 to 6 Years in a Penal Colony" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A Mordovia Court Sentenced Six Saransk-Based Jehovah's Witnesses, Including a Woman, to Two to Six Years in Prison for Practicing Their Faith" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Atryakhin and Others in Saransk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Searches Conducted in Saransk. Father of Young Children Is Detained." Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Enayat Naimi, عنایت الله نعیمی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: May/6/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Enayatollah Naeimi is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On September 28, 2022, authorities in Isfahan arrested Naeimi reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. Naeimi was previously a member of the now-disbanded religious group called “Yaran-i-Iran” or “Friends in Iran."
On an unspecified date, Naeimi was released on bail.
On May 6, 2023, authorities arrested Naeimi following a court hearing.
In May 2023, it was reported that the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Naeimi to 10 years in prison for “forming groups to act against national security” and five years in prison for “propaganda against the regime." Naeimi is expected to serve 10 years as the sentences run concurrently. The charges reportedly stem from his involvement in the “Yaran-i-Iran” or “Friends in Iran" religious group and his association with Baha’i communities in Israel.
Naeimi is reportedly in poor health.
Related Cases: Afif Naeimi, Mahvash Sabet, Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani,
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Baha’i Enayatollah Naeimi Receives 15-Year Prison Sentence" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Enayatollah Naeimi Arrested After Court Hearing" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Baha’is Citizen Enayatollah Naeimi Arrested" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"عنایت الله نعیمی، شهروند بهائی توسط نیروهای امنیتی در اصفهان بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Enayat Naimi" United for Iran