Additional Name(s): Aleksander Rumyantsev, Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich Rumyantsev, Румянцев Александр Вячеславович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/25/2021

Date of Sentencing: December/22/2023

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

Aleksandr Rumyantsev

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Rumyantsev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On August 25, 2021, authorities in Moscow arrested Rumyantsev after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused of “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) for having discussions about the Bible.

On December 22, 2023, the Cheremushkinsky District Court sentenced Rumyantsev to seven 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).

Related Cases: Sean PikeEduard Sviridov

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Sean Antonio Pike, Пайк Шон Антонио

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Health Concerns: COVID-19

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/25/2021

Date of Sentencing: December/22/2023

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

Sean Pike

Extra Bio Info:

Sean Pike is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On August 25, 2021, authorities in Moscow arrested Pike after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused of “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) for having discussions about the Bible.

In October 2021, Pike reportedly contracted COVID-19.

On December 22, 2023, the Cheremushkinsky District Court sentenced Pike 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).

Pike has reportedly been mistreated in prison because of his race. He was initially placed in an overcrowded cell and forced to sleep on the floor. He was later transferred to a less crowded cell.

Pike reportedly developed health problems prior to his contraction of COVID-19 and was then denied proper medical care.

Pike is married with two children.

Related Cases: Aleksandr RumyantsevEduard Sviridov

Additional Name(s): Aleksander Nikolayev, Aleksandr Georgiyevich Nikolayev, Николаев Александр Георгиевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/30/2021

Date of Sentencing: December/23/2021

Date of Release: September/19/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Nikolayev

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Nikolayev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 30, 2021, authorities detained Aleksandr after summoning him for interrogation. Nikolayev's arrest was reportedly in relation to his discussing of the Bible with his friends and family.

On December 23, 2021, the Abinsk District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Nikolayev to two years and six months in prison for “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).

On September 19, 2023, Nikolayev was released after completing his sentence.

Nikolayev is married with five children.