Additional Name(s): 万长春
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: April/11/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud
Wan Changchun is detained for his religious belief and activity.
On April 11, 2023, authorities from Yuhui district, Bengbu municipality, Anhui province detained Wan, a pastor from the Living Stone Reformed Church, in Lijiang municipality, Yunnan province for alleged "illegal business activity" (Art. 225 CCL). Wan was one among hundreds of pastors who had signed onto a letter condemning state policy changes in 2017 that resulted in greater persecution of Christians.
"Wan Changchun" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
Additional Name(s): Вирич Антон Александрович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Sentence: 6 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/11/2023
Date of Sentencing: April/25/2024
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
Anton Virich is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On July 11, 2023, authorities in Uzhur detained Virich and subsequently disappeared him for nine days until friends found him in the Spassk-Dalniy detention center. He 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).
On April 25, 2024, the Pozharsky District Court sentenced Virich to six years and two months in prison.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Anton Virich" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Вирич Антон Александрович" Memorial
"A Court in Primorye Territory Sent One of Jehovah's Witnesses Anton Virich to a Penal Colony for Six Years" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"One of Jehovah's Witnesses Anton Virich Was Arrested in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. He Was Taken to a Detention Center 5,000 Kilometers From the Place of Arrest" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Куприянский Николай Викторович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: August/8/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Nikolay Kupriyanskiy is under house arrest for his religious belief and activity.
On August 8, 2023, authorities in Kursk detained Kupriyanskiy after searching the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Kupriyanskiy 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 August 10, 2023, the Leninskiy District Court of Kursk placed Kupriyanskiy under house arrest.
Related Cases: Dmitriy Chausova, Oksana Chausova
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Nikolay Kupriyanskiy" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Series of Searches in Kursk. One Believer Sent to a Detention Center, Two Others Under House Arrest" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia