Additional Name(s): Vladimir Vladimirovich Piskarev, Пискарёв Владимир Владимирович
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Orel
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Health Concerns: Pancreatitis
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December/9/2020
Date of Sentencing: October/13/2023
Current Status: Not 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
Vladimir Piskarev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On December 9, 2020, authorities in Oryol detained Piskarev following searches of the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses.
In October 2021, Piskarev 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 September 7, 2022, it is reported that Piskarev was transferred to the hospital after suffering from pancreatitis.
On October 13, 2023, the Sovetskiy District Court sentenced Piskarev to six years in prison.
Piskarev has reportedly endured several health issues while in prison.
Related Cases: Vladimir Melnik, Artur Putintsev
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Vladimir Piskarev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Piskarev and Others in Oryol" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In Oryol, Three Believers Were Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Discussing the Bible" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In the City of Oryol a Wave of Searches in the Apartments of Dennis Christensen’s Fellow Believers" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Vladimir Vasiliyevich Melnik, Мельник Владимир Васильевич
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Orel
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December/9/2020
Date of Sentencing: October/13/2023
Current Status: Not 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
Vladimir Melnik is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On December 9, 2020, authorities in Oryol detained Melnik following searches of the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses.
In October 2021, Melnik 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 October 13, 2023, the Sovetskiy District Court sentenced Melnik to six years in prison.
Related Cases: Vladimir Piskarev, Artur Putintsev
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Vladimir Melnik" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Piskarev and Others in Oryol" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In Oryol, Three Believers Were Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Discussing the Bible" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In the City of Oryol a Wave of Searches in the Apartments of Dennis Christensen’s Fellow Believers" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Sergey Aleksandrovich Tolokonnikov, Толоконников Сергей Александрович
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Centre No. 5, Moscow
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/20/2021
Date of Sentencing: July/12/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Sergey Tolokonnikov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On October 20, 2021, authorities detained Tolokonnikov following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow and the Odintsov City district, Moscow region. Tolokonnikov was accused of engaging in extremist activities for discussing the Bible with an undercover FSB agent.
On July 12, 2023, the Savelovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Marunov to five years in prison for “recruitment or other involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC).
Related Cases: Roman Mareyev, Anatoliy Marunov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Sergey Tolokonnikov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The case of Mareyev and Others in Moscow" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"В Москве огласили приговор по делу троих Свидетелей Иеговы" SOVA Center
"In Moscow, 3 Believers Sent to Temporary Detention. New Criminal Case Opened Against Jehovah's Witnesses, Raids Took Place" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia