Extra Bio Info:

Dmitriy Dolzhikov is undergoing compulsory labor for his religious belief and activity.

On September 8 2022, authorities in Chelyabinsk arrested Dolzhikov after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Dolzhikov 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) after he allegedly “intentionally, out of extremist motives, took part in the activities of a religious association...in the form of participation in religious meetings and meetings of an extremist organization, holding conversations with residents of Chelyabinsk, showing and watching educational videos.”

On November 24, 2022, Dolzhikov was placed under house arrest.

On June 30, 2023, the Leninskiy District Court of Novosibirsk sentenced Dolzhikov to three years in prison, replaced with three years of forced labor.

On September 22, 2023, the Novosibirsk Regional Court upheld Dolzhikov's sentence.

On November 16, 2023, Dolzhikov arrives to his correctional center to begin serving his sentence.

Extra Bio Info:

Seymur Mammadov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.

On September 22, 2022, the Goranboy District Court sentenced Mammadov to nine months in prison for "evasion without the lawful grounds from next appeal on military service or from an appeal on mobilization, with a purpose of evasion from serving in military" (Art. 321.1 ACC). Mammadov had refused to serve in the military after being summoned for military duty in May 2022. Mammadov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On December 12, 2022, an appeals court overturned Mammadov's imprisonment and instead imposed a one year suspended sentence. He was released following the verdict.

Extra Bio Info:

Sepehr Ziaee is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 24, 2022, authorities in Tehran arrested Ziaee reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i.

In January 2023, it was reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ziaee to five years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).

In March 2023, it was reported that Ziaee's sentence had been upheld. 

Ziaee's health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison. His hearing capabilities have diminished following a medical issue with his ear. Reports indicate he was partially treated for the issue but that treatment ended prematurely.