Additional Name(s): Uzeir Rza ogly Abdullayev, Abdullayev Uzeyir Rza oglu, Абдуллаев Узеир Рза оглы

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 12 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 13 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/12/2016

Date of Sentencing: December/24/2019

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism

Uzeir Abdullayev

Extra Bio Info:

Uzeir Abdullayev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity. 

On October 12, 2016, Russian security forces arrested Abdullayev and several others after raiding their homes in Crimea and confiscating religious literature and electronics.  Abdullayev was accused of being a member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization.

On June 18, 2019, the North Caucasian District Military Court sentenced Abdullayev to 13 years in prison for  “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC).

On December 24, 2019, the Supreme Court reduced Abdullayev's sentence by six months, making it 12 years and six months in prison.

Abdullayev is married with four children.

Related Cases: Teimur Abdullayev, Rustem Ismailov, Emil Dzhemadenov, Aider Saledinov

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Andrey Vasiliyevich Kolesnichenko, Колесниченко Андрей Васильевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Decreased to 4 Years' Suspended Sentence

Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: January/20/2022

Date of Sentencing: January/20/2022

Date of Release: June/30/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Possession of Religious Materials Praying Religious Activity Religious Belief Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Andrey Kolesnichenko

Extra Bio Info:

Andrey Kolesnichenko was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In July 2020, authorities raided the home of Kolesnichenko and other Jehovah's Witnesses and confiscated electronics, religious texts, and other items. 

In March 2021, authorities formally initiated an investigation into Kolesnichenko 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). The basis of the investigation reportedly stems from audio recordings of him performing ordinary religious activities such as singing and praying.

On January 20, 2022, the Seversky City Court of Tomsk sentenced Kolesnichenko to four years in prison.  He was taken into state custody following the verdict. 

On June 30, 2022, the Tomsk Regional Court commuted Kolesnichenko's sentence and gave him four years' suspended sentence.  Kolesnichenko was released after the verdict.

Kolesnichenko is married.

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Yevgeniy Nikolayevich Korotun, Коротун Евгений Николаевич

Gender: Male

Current Location: IK No 13, Sverdlovsk

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/14/2020

Date of Sentencing: January/20/2020

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Yevgeniy Korotun

Extra Bio Info:

Yevgeniy Korotun is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 14, 2020, authorities raided the home of Korotun and other Jehovah's Witnesses and arrested Korotun. They also reportedly confiscated electronics, religious texts, and other items.  The basis of the investigation against Korotun reportedly stems from audio recordings of him discussing the Bible.

On July 15, 2020, Korotun was placed under house arrest.

On September 7, 2020, the Seversky City Court of Tomsk revoked Korotun's house arrest order and instead order him to remain in pre-trial detention.

On January 20, 2022, the Seversky City Court of Tomsk sentenced Korotun to seven years in prison, one year of restricted freedom, and several other prohibitions 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 May 16, 2022,  the Tomsk Regional Court upheld Korotun's sentence.

On March 16, 2023, the Eighth Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction upheld Korotun's sentence.

Korotun is married with one child from his current marriage and another adult child from a previous marriage.

Sources:
Subscribe to