Additional Name(s): Aleksandr Vasiliyevich Votyakov, Вотяков Александр Васильевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: December/14/2022

Date of Release: August/7/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Votyakov

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Votyakov was under house arrest for his religious belief and activity. 

On December 14, 2022, authorities in Izhevsk detained Votyakov after searching his home. Authorities charged him 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) and accused him of holding religious services and studying a religious publication. 

On December 15, 2022, Votyakov was placed under house arrest.

On August 7, 2023, Votyakov 's house arrest was lifted.

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Yevgeniy Vladimirovich Bitusov, Битусов Евгений Владимирович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/28/2022

Date of Sentencing: December/28/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Yevgeniy Bitusov

Extra Bio Info:

Yevgeniy Bitusov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On December 28, 2022, the Zeya District Court of the Amur Region sentenced Bitusov to six 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). Bitusov was accused of holding religious services, which included discussing the Bible. Bitusov was taken into custody following the verdict.

On March 31, 2023, the Amur Regional Court upheld Bitusov's sentence.

On March 19, 2024, the judicial panel of the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Vladivostok upheld Bitusov's sentence.

Related Cases: Leonid Druzhinin

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Leonid Ivanovich Druzhinin, Дружинин Леонид Иванович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/28/2022

Date of Sentencing: December/28/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Leonid Druzhinin

Extra Bio Info:

Leonid Druzhinin is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On December 28, 2022, the Zeya District Court of the Amur Region sentenced Druzhinin 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). Druzhinin was accused of holding religious services, which included discussing the Bible. Druzhinin was taken into custody following the verdict.

On March 31, 2023, the Amur Regional Court upheld Druzhinin's sentence.

On March 19, 2024, the judicial panel of the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Vladivostok upheld Druzhinin's sentence.

Related Cases: Yevgeniy Bitusov

Sources:
Subscribe to