Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Melnik is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On May 16, 2019, authorities in Volgograd arrested several Jehovah's Witnesses, including Melnik. They were reportedly accused of participating in “mass events to watch, listen to, and discuss audio and video materials propagating the cult of religious superiority of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Melnik was charged with “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 November 22, 2019, Melnik 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) instead of “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 December 26, 2019, Melnik was released.

On September 23, 2021, the Traktorozavodsky District Court of Volgograd sentenced Melnik to six 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). Melnik was taken into custody following the verdict.

On March 18, 2022, the Volgograd Regional Court upheld Melnik's sentence.

On January 19, 2023, the Fourth General Jurisdiction Court of Cassation in Krasnodar upheld Melnik's sentence. 

Related Cases: Igor Egozaryan, Valeriy Rogozin, Denis Peresunko

Extra Bio Info:

Rhoda Jatau was detained for blasphemy.

On May 20, 2022, authorities in Bauchi state arrested Jatau after riots broke out in response to a perceived blasphemous message she sent on WhatsApp. Jatau's message came reportedly in response to the murder of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu who was killed in an instance of mob violence over a perceived blasphemous message she sent via WhatsApp. Jatau was reportedly accused of "inciting public disturbance; exciting contempt of religious creed; and cyber stalking" under Sections 114, 210 of the Penal Code Law and Section 24 subsection 1b(i) of Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act 2015 Laws.

In December 2023, a judge in Bauchi State granted Jatau bail. She has been relocated to a safe, undisclosed location.

Extra Bio Info:

Igor Egozaryan is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On May 16, 2019, authorities in Volgograd arrested several Jehovah's Witnesses, including Egozaryan. They were reportedly accused of participating in “mass events to watch, listen to, and discuss audio and video materials propagating the cult of religious superiority of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Egozaryan was charged with “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 November 22, 2019, Egozaryan 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) instead of “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 December 26, 2019, Egozaryan was released.

On September 23, 2021, the Traktorozavodsky District Court of Volgograd sentenced Egozaryan to six 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). Egozaryan was taken into custody following the verdict.

On March 18, 2022, the Volgograd Regional Court upheld Egozaryan's sentence.

On January 19, 2023, the Fourth General Jurisdiction Court of Cassation in Krasnodar upheld Egozaryan's sentence.

Related Cases: Sergey Melnik, Valeriy Rogozin, Denis Peresunko