Additional Name(s): Dmitriy Yuryevich Malevaniy, Малеваный Дмитрий Юрьевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years, 10 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/10/2023

Date of Sentencing: February/10/2023

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 Distributing Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Dmitriy Malevaniy

Extra Bio Info:

Dmitriy Malevaniy is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On November 25, 2018, authorities in Spassk-Dalniy detained Malevaniy after searching the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Malevaniy was accused of holding Jehovah's Witness meetings, distributing religious materials, and recruiting new members.

On November 27, 2018, Malevaniy was placed under house arrest.

On November 19, 2019, Malevaniy's house arrest was lifted.

On February 10, 2023, the Spassky District Court of Primorsky Krai sentenced Malevaniy 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). He was taken into custody following the verdict.

On May 24, 2023, the Primorsky Regional Court reduced Malevaniy's sentence to six years and ten months in prison.

On October 16, 2023, the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction upheld Malevaniy's most recent sentence.

Related Cases: Aleksey Trofimov, Olga Panyuta

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Aleksey Borisovich Trofimov, Трофимов Алексей Борисович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years, 4 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/10/2023

Date of Sentencing: February/10/2023

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 Distributing Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksey Trofimov

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksey Trofimov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On November 25, 2018, authorities in Spassk-Dalniy detained Trofimov after searching the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Trofimov was accused of holding Jehovah's Witness meetings, distributing religious materials, and recruiting new members.

On November 27, 2018, Trofimov was placed under house arrest. 

On November 19, 2019, Trofimov's house arrest was lifted. 

On February 10, 2023, the Spassky District Court of Primorsky Krai sentenced Trofimov to six 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). He was taken into custody following the verdict.

On May 24, 2023, the Primorsky Regional Court reduced Trofimov's sentence to to six years and four months in prison.

On October 16, 2023, the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction upheld Trofimov's most recent sentence.

Related Cases: Dmitriy Malevaniy, Olga Panyuta

Sources:

May 12, 2023

USCIRF Thanks Outgoing Commissioner Sharon Kleinbaum

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expresses gratitude to Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum for her time and commitment to promoting freedom of religion or belief abroad as a Commissioner at USCIRF.

“It has been an honor and privilege working with Rabbi Kleinbaum as a fellow Commissioner, and we wish her well as she continues to further freedom of religion or belief abroad in her personal work,” said USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel. “We greatly appreciate her invaluable contributions to USCIRF and her insight from her years of experience working with many different communities as a religious leader, interfaith activist, and human rights advocate.”

Rabbi Kleinbaum was first appointed to USCIRF in December 2019 by then Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). She was reappointed by President Joseph R. Biden in August 2021 for a two-year term that expires on May 14, 2023.

Rabbi Kleinbaum currently serves as spiritual leader of New York City's Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) and was installed as CBST's first rabbi in 1992. She has long been involved in the fight for human rights for all people. Rabbi Kleinbaum is also a Commissioner on New York City's Commission on Human Rights, serves on Mayor de Blasio's Faith Based Advisory Council, and serves on the boards of the New York Jewish Agenda and the New Israel Fund. Her longtime leadership of CBST and her outspoken activism have made her a powerful voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights and human rights in America and around the world.

For many years, she has been ranked by Newsweek among the 50 most influential rabbis in America, as well as one of Newsweek's 150 Women Who Shake the World. She was also named by the Huffington Post as one of the Top 10 Women Religious Leaders and one of the 15 Inspiring LGBT Religious Leaders. AM New York named her one of New York City's Most Influential Women for Women's Day and she is a recipient of the Jewish Fund for Justice Woman of Valor Award.

 “While Rabbi Kleinbaum and I were appointed to USCIRF from opposite sides of the aisle, we worked in a bipartisan manner and shared a persistent commitment to promoting freedom of religion or belief for all, no matter their faith, gender, or sexual orientation,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Abraham Cooper. “It has been a tremendous honor to work with her on the Commission.”

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.

###

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

Subscribe to