Additional Name(s): Sean Antonio Pike, Пайк Шон Антонио
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Health Concerns: COVID-19
Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/25/2021
Date of Sentencing: December/22/2023
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
Sean Pike is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On August 25, 2021, authorities in Moscow arrested Pike after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused of “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) for having discussions about the Bible.
In October 2021, Pike reportedly contracted COVID-19.
On December 22, 2023, the Cheremushkinsky District Court sentenced Pike to seven years 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).
Pike has reportedly been mistreated in prison because of his race. He was initially placed in an overcrowded cell and forced to sleep on the floor. He was later transferred to a less crowded cell.
Pike reportedly developed health problems prior to his contraction of COVID-19 and was then denied proper medical care.
Pike is married with two children.
Related Cases: Aleksandr Rumyantsev, Eduard Sviridov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Sean Antonio Pike" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Rumyantsev and others in Moscow" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
USCIRF Commissioner Abraham Cooper and Susie Gelman, Tweet, December 26, 2023
"A Court in Moscow Handed Down a Harsh Sentence to Three of Jehovah's Witnesses—From Six and a Half to Seven and a Half Years in Prison for Their Faith" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
USCIRF Commissioner Frederick Davie, Tweet, September 14, 2021
"One of Jehovah's Witnesses from Gayana, Arrested in Moscow, is Forced to Sleep on the Floor, Although There Are Free Beds in the Pre-trial Detention Center" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A Series of Searches in Southwest Moscow. Three Believers Detained" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Aleksander Nikolayev, Aleksandr Georgiyevich Nikolayev, Николаев Александр Георгиевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/30/2021
Date of Sentencing: December/23/2021
Date of Release: September/19/2023
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
Aleksandr Nikolayev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On September 30, 2021, authorities detained Aleksandr after summoning him for interrogation. Nikolayev's arrest was reportedly in relation to his discussing of the Bible with his friends and family.
On December 23, 2021, the Abinsk District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Nikolayev to two years and six months in prison 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).
On September 19, 2023, Nikolayev was released after completing his sentence.
Nikolayev is married with five children.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Aleksandr Nikolayev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Nikolaev in Kholmskaya" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Aleksandr Nikolayev, Father of Five, Convicted for His Faith, Was Released from the Colony" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"First Prison Term After the Plenum Ruling: One of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Aleksandr Nikolayev, Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Yuriy Aleksandrovich Usanov,
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Center No. 4, Kemerovo
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/2/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023
Date of Release: August/15/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Yuriy Usanov was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On April 2, 2021, authorities arrested Usanov from his home after accusing him of "convening and holding meetings of its members and holding talks” via Zoom. Usanov was under investigation 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 August 1, 2023, the prosecution reclassified Usanov's charges to “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 15, 2023, the Taiginsky City Court of the Kemerovo Region sentenced Usanov to three years in prison. Usanov was released following the verdict since he had already served his sentence in pre-trial detention.
Usanov is married.
Related Cases: Maksim Morozov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Yuriy Usanov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Usanov and Morozov in Taiga" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"A court in Taiga sentenced two Jehovah's Witnesses to 3 years in prison, but considered the term already served. Yuri Usanov and Maxim Morozov at large" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia