Additional Name(s): Sergey Karpenko, Сергія Карпенка
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: December/12/2022
Date of Release: January//2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Disappeared
Reason for Persecution: Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Serhiy Karpenko
Extra Bio Info:
Serhiy Karpenko was disappeared for his religious leadership role.
On December 12, 2022, Russian soldiers detained Karpenko, pastor of the Vefil (Bethel) Protestant Church in Berdyansk, Ukraine, after searching the church and allegedly finding "Ukrainian symbols."
In January 2023, Karpenko was released.
Sources:
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"OCCUPIED UKRAINE: "Disappeared" clergy, seized places of worship, library purge" Forum 18
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"OCCUPIED UKRAINE: One Berdyansk pastor and two priests in Russian detention" Forum 18
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"In Berdyansk, invaders detain a pastor of the Evangelical Church" Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU)
Additional Name(s): متین گرجی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: January/8/2023
Date of Release: January/31/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Insulting Public Officials & Institutions
Matin Gorji
Extra Bio Info:
Matin Gorji was detained in relation to his religious belief and activity.
On January 8, 2023, authorities in Qaemshahr reportedly arrested Gorji, a Baha'i. Authorities reportedly searched Gorji's home and confiscated electronics and religious books. Gorji was reportedly charged with "insulting" Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei allegedly on his YouTube channel. Gorji's arrest came amid the outbreak of nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini and mandatory religious veiling.
On January 31, 2023, Gorji was reportedly released after posting bail.
Sources:
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Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"متین گرجی، شهروند بهائی با تودیع قرار وثیقه آزاد شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"Jailed Iranian Baha'i Accused Of "Insulting" Islamic Republic Leader" IranWire
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HRANA English, Tweet, January 9, 2023
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"متین گرجی، شهروند بهائی توسط نیروهای امنیتی در قائمشهر بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): غزل پاکزاد
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: January//2023
Date of Release: January/11/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Ghazal Pakzad
Extra Bio Info:
Ghazal Pakzad was detained in relation to her religious belief.
In January 2023, authorities in Zahedan reportedly arrested Pakzad for being Baha'i and supporting nationwide protests on her Instagram.
On January 11, 2023, Pakzad was reportedly released on bail.
Related Cases: Reyhaneh Pakzad
Sources:
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"اعتراضات سراسری؛ گزارشی از بازداشت و آزادی ۳ شهروند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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ARAM Iran, Tweet, January 8, 2023
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"گزارشی از بازداشت و آزادی چهار شهروند از جمله دو زن و یک نوجوان در شهرهای مختلف" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"بازداشت دو زن بهایی ساکن زاهدان توسط اطلاعات سپاه" The Baloch Activists' Campaign