Additional Name(s): Yuriy Aleksandrovich Usanov,
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Center No. 4, Kemerovo
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/2/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023
Date of Release: August/15/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Yuriy Usanov
Extra Bio Info:
Yuriy Usanov was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On April 2, 2021, authorities arrested Usanov from his home after accusing him of "convening and holding meetings of its members and holding talks” via Zoom. Usanov was under investigation 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).
On August 1, 2023, the prosecution reclassified Usanov's charges to “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 August 15, 2023, the Taiginsky City Court of the Kemerovo Region sentenced Usanov to three years in prison. Usanov was released following the verdict since he had already served his sentence in pre-trial detention.
Usanov is married.
Related Cases: Maksim Morozov
Sources:
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Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Yuriy Usanov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Case of Usanov and Morozov in Taiga" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"A court in Taiga sentenced two Jehovah's Witnesses to 3 years in prison, but considered the term already served. Yuri Usanov and Maxim Morozov at large" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Maksim Yevgeniyevich Morozov, Морозов Максим Евгеньевич
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Center No. 4, Kemerovo
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/6/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023
Date of Release: August/15/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Maksim Morozov
Extra Bio Info:
Maksim Morozov was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On August 6, 2021, authorities arrested Morozov after accusing him of "convening and holding meetings of its members and holding talks” via Zoom. The following day, he was charged 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).
On August 1, 2023, the prosecution reclassified Morozov's charges to “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 August 15, 2023, the Taiginsky City Court of the Kemerovo Region sentenced Morozov to three years in prison. Morozov was released following the verdict since he had already served his sentence in pre-trial detention.
Related Cases: Yuriy Usanov
Sources:
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Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Maksim Morozov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Case of Usanov and Morozov in Taiga" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"A court in Taiga sentenced two Jehovah's Witnesses to 3 years in prison, but considered the term already served. Yuri Usanov and Maxim Morozov at large" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Parisa Rohizadegan, پریسا روحی زادگان
Gender: Female
Current Location: Adel-Abad Prison
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/10/2022
Date of Sentencing: May/18/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Parisa Roohi Zadegan
Extra Bio Info:
Parisa Roohi Zadegan is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
In 2016, authorities arrested Zadegan reportedly in relation to her being Baha'i.
On an unspecified date, Zadegan was released on bail.
On May 18, 2022, the Shiraz Revolutionary Court sentenced Zadegan to two years in prison for “propaganda against the regime, forming anti-regime groups and collaboration with hostile countries in the form of Baha’i organization.”
On October 10, 2022, authorities in Shiraz took into custody Zadegan in order for her to begin serving her sentence.
Sources:
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Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"Baha’is Citizen Parisa Roohi Zadegan Imprisoned" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"بازداشت پریسا روحی زادگان جهت اجرای حکم حبس" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)