Additional Name(s): Maksim Nikolayevich Beltikov, Бельтиков Максим Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: January/17/2022

Date of Sentencing: January/22/2022

Date of Release: September/15/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Maksim Beltikov

Extra Bio Info:

Maksim Beltikov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In April 2020, authorities raided Beltikov's home.

In June 2021, a formal investigation was opened against Beltikov for allegedly “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 was reportedly over an audio recording of Beltikov discussing the Bible.

On January 17, 2022, the Pavlovskiy District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Beltikov to two years in prison. Beltikov was taken into custody following the trial.

On September 15, 2023, Beltikov was released from prison after completing his sentence.

Beltikov is married with three children.

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Alexei Yershov, Aleksey Nikolayevich Yershov, Ершов Алексей, Ершов Алексей Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Decreased to 3 Years' Suspended Sentence

Sentence: Originally 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: January/19/2022

Date of Sentencing: January/19/2022

Date of Release: April/7/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksey Yershov

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksey Yershov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In July 2020, security forces raided the home of Yershov and other Jehovah's Witnesses. They reportedly confiscated electronics, Bibles, books, and several other items.

On March 30, 2021, Yershov was formally 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 being recorded performing ordinary religious activities, such as singing songs, praying, and discussing religious teachings.

On January 19, 2022, the Seversk City Court of Tomsk sentenced Yershov to three years in prison. He was taken into state custody following the trial.

On April 7, 2022, the Tomsk Regional Court commuted Yershov's sentence and gave him three years' suspended sentence.  The verdict went immediately into force.

Yershov is married.

Sources:

Feb 02

WHEN:

Feb 2nd 11:00am - Feb 2nd 12:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

USCIRF Conversation on the Global Compact on Refugees

Wednesday, February 2, 2022
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Virtual Event

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual event about the United Nations Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and its implications for refugees fleeing religious persecution.

The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that as of the mid-2021, there were an unprecedented 26.6 million refugees worldwide. Two-thirds of these refugees are from five countries, which include three countries with ongoing persecution of various religious communities: Syria, Burma, and Afghanistan. Given the immense scale of the global refugee crisis, the GCR, endorsed by the General Assembly in 2018, is designed to promote responsibility-sharing among host countries and communities to better support refugees. The Biden Administration recently made several pledges to support the GCR.

This event considered the impact of the GCR in ameliorating the plight of refugees fleeing religious persecution. USCIRF held a hearing in February 2021 that explored ways that the U.S. government can better protect and support individuals targeted based on their religion or belief abroad. Building on the findings from this hearing, the event also explored further opportunities for the U.S. government and international community to aid refugees fleeing religious persecution.

USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Commissioner Anurima Bhargava were joined by guest panelists Rabbi Rick Jacobs, member of the joint UNHCR-Religions for Peace Multi-Religious Council of Leaders, and Patrick Wall, co-author of The Global Compact on Refugees Three Years On. USCIRF Director of Outreach and Policy Dwight Bashir moderated the conversation followed by questions and answers from attendees.

Panelists

  • Nadine Maenza, Chair, USCIRF
  • Anurima Bhargava, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism and Honorary President, Religions for Peace
  • Patrick Wall, Independent Consultant

Moderator

  • Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF

This virtual event is open to the public and media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].

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