Additional Name(s): Dmitriy Nikolayevich Dolzhikov, Должиков Дмитрий Николаевич
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Center No.1, Novosibirsk
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 3 Years' Forced Labor
Date of Detainment: September/8/2022
Date of Sentencing: June/30/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Other
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Dmitriy Dolzhikov is undergoing compulsory labor for his religious belief and activity.
On September 8 2022, authorities in Chelyabinsk arrested Dolzhikov after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Dolzhikov was charged with “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) after he allegedly “intentionally, out of extremist motives, took part in the activities of a religious association...in the form of participation in religious meetings and meetings of an extremist organization, holding conversations with residents of Chelyabinsk, showing and watching educational videos.”
On November 24, 2022, Dolzhikov was placed under house arrest.
On June 30, 2023, the Leninskiy District Court of Novosibirsk sentenced Dolzhikov to three years in prison, replaced with three years of forced labor.
On September 22, 2023, the Novosibirsk Regional Court upheld Dolzhikov's sentence.
On November 16, 2023, Dolzhikov arrives to his correctional center to begin serving his sentence.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Dmitriy Dolzhikov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Case of Dolzhikov in Novosibirsk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Appeal Court in Novosibirsk Upheld the Sentence for Dmitriy Dolzhikov — 2 Years of Forced Labor for His Faith in Jehovah God" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Утвержден приговор Свидетелю Иеговы Должикову" SOVA Center
"A Court in Novosibirsk Sentenced Dmitriy Dolzhikov to a Penal Colony For Reading the Bible, But Replaced the Punishment with Forced Labor" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper and Stephen Schneck, Tweet, October 4, 2022
"100th Jehovah's Witness sent to jail in Russia: 44-year-old Dmitry Dolzhikov is in a pre-trial detention center in Novosibirsk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In Chelyabinsk, Special Forces Stormed the Apartments of Jehovah's Witnesses. Believer Arrested" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Seymur Afqan oglu Mammadov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 1 Year's Suspended Sentence
Sentence: Originally 9 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/22/2022
Date of Sentencing: September/22/2022
Date of Release: December/12/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service
Seymur Mammadov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
On September 22, 2022, the Goranboy District Court sentenced Mammadov to nine months in prison for "evasion without the lawful grounds from next appeal on military service or from an appeal on mobilization, with a purpose of evasion from serving in military" (Art. 321.1 ACC). Mammadov had refused to serve in the military after being summoned for military duty in May 2022. Mammadov was taken into custody following the verdict.
On December 12, 2022, an appeals court overturned Mammadov's imprisonment and instead imposed a one year suspended sentence. He was released following the verdict.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses
"Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector's jail term changed to suspended sentence" Forum 18
USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper and Nury Turkel, Tweet, October 4, 2022
"Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector jailing 'very unexpected decision'" Forum 18
Additional Name(s): Sepehr Ziyaei, سپهر ضیائی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/24/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Sepehr Ziaee is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On September 24, 2022, authorities in Tehran arrested Ziaee reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i.
In January 2023, it was reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ziaee to five years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).
In March 2023, it was reported that Ziaee's sentence had been upheld.
Ziaee's health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison. His hearing capabilities have diminished following a medical issue with his ear. Reports indicate he was partially treated for the issue but that treatment ended prematurely.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"SEPEHR ZIAEI" United For Iran
"دادگاه تجدیدنظر؛ سپهر ضیائی، شهروند بهائی به حبس محکوم شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Iranian Baha'i Handed Five Years In Prison For His Faith" IranWire
"سپهر ضیایی به اتهام بهایی بودن به پنج سال حبس محکوم شد" IranWire
"پیام ولی و سپهر ضیائی، شهروندان بهائی بازداشت شدند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)