Extra Bio Info:

Bohdan Geleta is detained for his religious leadership role.

In November 2022, Russian forces in Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia oblast, Ukraine, reportedly abducted Geleta, a priest and employee of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, and Ivan Levitsky, a hieromonk and rector of that same church. Their abductions reportedly occurred on or around November 16, 2022, with Russian forces searching the church's premises around that same time.

On November 24, 2022, it was revealed in Russian media that Russian forces had detained the two priests and accused them of "subversive" and "partisan" activities directed against Russian forces after allegedly discovering explosives, weapons, and "prohibited literature" on church premises. According to the Ukrainian Catholic Archiepiscopal Exarchate of Donetsk, the accusations levied against the two seem to be in retaliation to Ukrainian authorities searching the Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, which is under the authority of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In February 2024, Forum 18 reported that Geleta is being held in a prison in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine.

Geleta reportedly suffers from diabetes. 

Related Cases: Ivan Levitsky

Extra Bio Info:

Ivan Levitsky is detained for his religious leadership role.

In November 2022, Russian forces in Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia oblast, Ukraine, reportedly abducted hieromonk Levitsky, rector of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, and Father Bohdan Geleta, an employee of the same church. Levitsky's abduction reportedly occurred on or around November 16, 2022, with Russian forces searching the church's premises around that same time.

On November 24, 2022, it was revealed in Russian media that Russian forces had detained the two priests and accused them of "subversive" and "partisan" activities directed against Russian forces after allegedly discovering explosives, weapons, and "prohibited literature" on church premises. Russian media also claimed that Levitsky had called on people sabotage and resist Russian forces and had held prayers in support of Ukrainian forces and the government. According to the Ukrainian Catholic Archiepiscopal Exarchate of Donetsk, the accusations levied against the two seem to be in retaliation to Ukrainian authorities searching the Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, which is under the authority of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In February 2024, Forum 18 reported that Levitsky is being held in a prison in Russia's Rostov region.

Related Cases: Bohdan Geleta

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Homayoun Khanlori is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On November 29, 2022, authorities in Rasht arrested Khanlori reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. Authorities reportedly raided his home and workplace and confiscated some of his belongings.

On December 24, 2022, Khanlori was released on bail.

On an unspecified date, the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Khanlori to two years in prison for "educational or propaganda activities contrary to or disturbing the holy Islamic law." He was also deprived of social rights for ten years and fined 50 million tomans.

In June 2023, it was reported that the Gilan Court of Appeals has upheld his sentence.

On September 28, 2023, Khanlori was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence in Lakan Prison in Rasht.