Additional Name(s): Denis Aleksandrovich Sarazhakov, Саражаков Денис Александрович

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Irkutsk

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Sentence: 6 Years, 4 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/30/2021

Date of Sentencing: March/5/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Praying Religious Activity Religious Belief Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Denis Sarazhakov

Extra Bio Info:

Denis Sarazhakov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On November 30, 2021, authorities in Askiz detained Sarazhakov following a raid on his home. Investigators had reportedly opened a criminal case against him following secret audio recordings of worship services which included participants praying, singing, and reading the Bible.

On March 5, 2024, the Oktyabrskiy District Court of Irkutsk sentenced Sarazhakov to six years and four 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).

Related Cases: Yaroslav Kalin, Sergey Kosteyev, Nikolay Martynov, Mikhail Moysh, Igor Popov, Aleksey Solnechny, Andrey Tolmachev, Sergey Vasilyev

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