Additional Name(s): Vardan Pegatosovich Zakaryan, Закарян Вардан Пегатосович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 4 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/24/2020

Date of Sentencing: March/31/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Vardan Zakaryan

Extra Bio Info:

Vardan Zakaryan is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On November 24, 2020, authorities in Moscow detained Zakaryan following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused accused of having discussions about the Bible. Zakaryan was reportedly assaulted in the raid and sent to the hospital after being injured.

On November 30, 2020, Zakaryan was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.

On March 31, 2023, the Babushkinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Zakaryan to four years and two months in prison for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC). Zakaryan was taken into custody following the verdict.

On April 10, 2024, the Moscow City Court upheld Zakaryan's sentence.

Related Cases: Ivan Chaykovskiy, Yuriy Chernyshev, Vitaliy Komarov, Sergey Shatalov

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Additional Name(s): Tatyana Vitaliyevna Obizhestvit, Обижествит Татьяна Витальевна

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: January/19/2020

Date of Release: February/20/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Tatyana Obizhestvit

Extra Bio Info:

Tatyana Obizhestvit was under house arrest for her religious belief and activity.

On January 19, 2020, authorities in Kazan detained Obizhestvit after searching the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses.

On January 21, 2020, Obizhestvit was placed under house arrest.

On February 20, 2023, the Vakhitovsky District Court of Kazan sentenced Obizhestvit to two years of suspended imprisonment 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). Obizhestvit's house arrest was lifted following the verdict. 

On November 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan upheld Obizhestvit's sentence.

Related Cases: Leysan Bochkareva

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Additional Name(s): Leysan Raushanovna Bochkareva, Бочкарёва Лейсан Раушановна

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: January/19/2020

Date of Release: February/20/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Leysan Bochkareva

Extra Bio Info:

Leysan Bochkareva was under house arrest for her religious belief and activity.

On January 19, 2020, authorities in Kazan detained Bochkareva after searching the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses.

On January 21, 2020, Bochkareva was placed under house arrest.

On February 20, 2023, the Vakhitovsky District Court of Kazan sentenced Bochkareva to two years and six months of suspended imprisonment 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). Bochkareva's house arrest was lifted following the verdict. 

On November 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan upheld Bochkareva's sentence.

Related Cases: Tatyana Obizhestvit

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