Additional Name(s): Sergey Valeryevich Polyakov, Поляков Сергей Валерьевич
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/30/2020
Date of Sentencing: November/30/2020
Date of Release: November/30/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Sergey Polyakov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On July 4, 2018, authorities in Omsk detained Polyakov after assaulting him upon violently entering his home. He 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). Polyakov was reportedly placed in solitary confinement.
On December 4, 2018, the Omsk Regional Court replaced Polyakov's pretrial detention with house arrest.
On March 4, 2019, Polyakov's house arrest order was lifted.
On November 30, 2020 the Pervomaiskiy District Court of Omsk sentenced Polyakov to three 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). Polyakov was accused of discussing religion and religious texts with others. His possession of Biblical cartoons and the Bible in different languages was also reportedly used as evidence against him. Polyakov was taken into custody following the verdict.
On May 28, 2021, the Omsk Regional Court upheld Polyakov's sentence.
On November 30, 2022, Polyakov was released from prison after completing his sentence.
Polyakov is married, and his wife, Anastasiya Polyakova, was detained and sentenced alongside him for her religious activities.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Sergey Polyakov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of the Polyakovs and Others in Omsk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Sergey Polyakov, One of Jehovah's Witnesses from Omsk, Was Released. He Served a Sentence of Three Years in a Penal Colony" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Court of Appeal in Omsk Upheld the Convictions of Four Jehovah's Witnesses. One of Them Will Go to Prison" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"An Omsk court sentenced a 48-year-old Jehovah's Witness to a three-year sentence in a correctional facility. His wife and two other women received a suspended sentence" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"In Omsk, the Trial of Four Believers Begins. Polyakov Spouses, Dinara Dyusekeyeva, and Gaukhar Bektemirova Are on Dock" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Witness Couple in Omsk Transferred to House Arrest After Five Months in Solitary Confinement" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Omsk Police Severely Beat Sergey Polyakov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Vasiliy Vladimirovich Meleshko, Мелешко Василий Владимирович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/11/2021
Date of Sentencing: August/11/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Vasiliy Meleshko is imprisoned for his religious activity.
On August 11, 2021, the Abinsky District Court sentenced Meleshko to three years 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). According to investigators, Meleshko "conducted and listened to lectures on the basis of religious literature...entered into conversations and religious discussions with other participants, participated in a collective discussion of religious books." Meleshko was taken into custody following the verdict.
On October 7, 2021, the Judicial Collegium of the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Meleshko's sentence.
Meleshko is married with two children.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Vasiliy Meleshko" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Meleshko in Kholmskaya" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The appeal approved the verdict for a pensioner from the village of Kholmskaya - Vasily Meleshko will spend 3 years in a colony for believing in Jehovah" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Court in Krasnodar Territory Sentenced 60-year-old Vasiliy Meleshko to 3 Years in Prison for Talking About the Bible" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Atash Shakarami, آتش شاکرمی
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: October/2/2022
Date of Release: October//2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Appearance Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations Women’s Rights
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Atash Shahkarami was detained for speaking out about the disappearance and murder of an anti-hijab protester.
On October 2, 2022, security forces arrested Shahkarami after she spoke with the BBC and posted on social media about the disappearance and murder of her niece, Nika Shahkarami. Nika Shahkarami, a 16-year-old student, went missing on September 20, 2022, after participating in anti-hijab protests. 10 days after her disappearance, Nika’s body was found in a morgue in Tehran, and her family was reportedly not allowed access to her body. Security agents had reportedly been chasing Nika the day of her disappearance, and Atash told the BBC that the Revolutionary Guard had admitted to having her in their custody. Prior to her burial scheduled for October 3, 2022, security forces reportedly “stole” Nika’s body and buried her in another town. Following Atash’s arrest, sources indicate that security forces threatened to kill her if anyone from their family took part in the nationwide protests.
On October 5, 2022, Atash Shahkarami and her husband, Mohsen Shahkarami, appeared on a state TV report making statements confirming the government’s narrative about Nika’s death. It is reported that security forces threatened to kill their family if the two did not make these statements or confess.
On October 9, 2022, it was reported that Shahkarami had been released.
RadioFarda|راديو فردا, Tweet, December 21, 2022
"آتش شاکرمی پس از آزادی: ما انسانهای پیش از مرگ نیکا نیستیم" IranWire
"آتش شاکرمی پس از آزادی: به زنده نگاه داشتن راستی و زیبایی ادامه می دهیم" Iran International
“Nika Shakarami: Iran protester's family forced to lie about death – source” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
“روایت تلویزیون جمهوری اسلامی از کشته شدن نیکا شاکرمی با حضور بستگان بازداشتشده او” Radio Farda
“Alarm grows over teen's death as Iran denies protest link” France 24
“Iranian authorities arrest eight after teenage protester’s death” Cable News Network (CNN)
“Iran: Teen protester Nika Shakarami's body stolen, sources say” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
“پس از ۱۰ روز بیخبری، خانواده نیکا شاکرمی با پیکر بیجانش در کهریزک روبرو شدند” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)