Additional Name(s): Yuriy Yevgeniyevich Chernyshev, Чернышев Юрий Евгеньевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 6 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/24/2020
Date of Sentencing: March/31/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Yuriy Chernyshev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On November 24, 2020, authorities in Moscow detained Chernyshev following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused accused of having discussions about the Bible.
On November 27, 2020, Chernyshev was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.
On March 31, 2023, the Babushkinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Chernyshev to six years and three months 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). Chernyshev was taken into custody following the verdict.
On April 10, 2024, the Moscow City Court upheld Chernyshev's sentence.
Related Cases: Vardan Zakaryan, Ivan Chaykovskiy, Vitaliy Komarov, Sergey Shatalov
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USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in the Russian Federation July 2023
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Additional Name(s): Ivan Stepanovich Chaykovskiy, Чайковский Иван Степанович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 6 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/24/2020
Date of Sentencing: March/31/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Ivan Chaykovskiy is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On November 24, 2020, authorities in Moscow detained Chaykovskiy following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused accused of having discussions about the Bible.
On November 27, 2020, Chaykovskiy was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.
On March 31, 2023, the Babushkinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Chaykovskiy to six years and three months 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). Chaykovskiy was taken into custody following the verdict.
On April 10, 2024, the Moscow City Court upheld Chaykovskiy's sentence.
Related Cases: Vardan Zakaryan, Yuriy Chernyshev, Vitaliy Komarov, Sergey Shatalov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Ivan Chaykovskiy" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Chaykovskiy and Others in Moscow" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Мосгорсуд утвердил приговор по делу пяти Свидетелей Иеговы" SOVA Center
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in the Russian Federation July 2023
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Additional Name(s): Vardan Pegatosovich Zakaryan, Закарян Вардан Пегатосович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 4 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/24/2020
Date of Sentencing: March/31/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Vardan Zakaryan is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On November 24, 2020, authorities in Moscow detained Zakaryan following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused accused of having discussions about the Bible. Zakaryan was reportedly assaulted in the raid and sent to the hospital after being injured.
On November 30, 2020, Zakaryan was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.
On March 31, 2023, the Babushkinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Zakaryan to four years and two months in prison for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC). Zakaryan was taken into custody following the verdict.
On April 10, 2024, the Moscow City Court upheld Zakaryan's sentence.
Related Cases: Ivan Chaykovskiy, Yuriy Chernyshev, Vitaliy Komarov, Sergey Shatalov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Vardan Zakaryan" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Chaykovskiy and Others in Moscow" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Мосгорсуд утвердил приговор по делу пяти Свидетелей Иеговы" SOVA Center
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