Additional Name(s): Nikolay Vasiliyevich Vasiliyev, Васильев Николай Васильевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: January/25/2024
Date of Sentencing: January/25/2024
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Nikolay Vasiliyev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On December 15, 2021, authorities in Samara detained several Jehovah's Witnesses, including Vasiliyev, following a raid on an apartment they were in. Vasiliyev was investigated 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) over his Jehovah's Witness activities.
In December 2022, Vasiliyev was released.
On January 25, 2024, the Samara District Court sentenced Vasiliyev to seven years in prison. He was taken into custody following the verdict.
On May 20, 2024, the Samara Regional Court upheld Vasiliyev’s sentence.
Related Cases: Denis Kuzyanin, Sergey Polosenko, Aram Danielyan
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Nikolay Vasiliyev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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Additional Name(s): Andrey Nikolayevich Bochkarev, Бочкарёв Андрей Николаевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 3 Years, 1 Month's Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: January/19/2020
Date of Sentencing: February/20/2023
Date of Release: February/20/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Andrey Bochkarev was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On January 19, 2020, authorities in Kazan detained Bochkarev alongside several other Jehovah's Witnesses in relation to their religious activities.
On February 20, 2023, the Vakhitovsky District Court of Kazan sentenced Bochkarev to three years and one month 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). Bochkarev was released from prison following the verdict after serving his entire sentence in pretrial detention.
On November 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan upheld Bochkarev's sentence.
"Andrey Bochkarev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of the Bochkarevs and Obizhestvit in Kazan" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Appeal in Tatarstan Upholds the Verdict of Three Jehovah's Witnesses"https://jw-russia.org/news/2023/11/281501.html Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Court passes judgment on Jehovah's Witnesses from Kazan" SOVA Center
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Additional Name(s): Sergey Alekseyevich Tyurin, Тюрин Сергей Алексеевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: March/23/2022
Date of Release: January/23/2023
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 Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Sergey Tyurin was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On March 23, 2022, authorities in Balakovo arrested several Jehovah's Witnesses, including Tyurin, in relation to their religious activities. Prior to their arrests, they were being investigated for organizing and participating in extremist activities.
On January 23, 2023, Tyurin was released from prison.
Related Cases: Aleksey Bogatov, Yevgeniy Fomashin, Vladimir Mavrin, Andrey Murych
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Sergey Tyurin" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Mavrin and others in Balakovo" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Суд в Саратове освободил из-под стражи пятерых свидетелей Иеговы" Political Prisoners.Memorial
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