Additional Name(s): Igor Ivanovich Popov, Попов Игорь Иванович
Gender: Male
Current Location: Detention Centre 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
Igor Popov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On November 30, 2021, authorities in Mezhdurechensk detained Popov 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 Popov 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, Denis Sarazhakov, Aleksey Solnechny, Andrey Tolmachev, Sergey Vasilyev
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Igor Popov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The case of Martynov and Others in Irkutsk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"В Иркутске Свидетелей Иеговы приговорили к лишению свободы на сроки от трех до семи лет" SOVA Center
"Nine of Jehovah's Witnesses from Irkutsk Received 3 to 7 Years of Imprisonment for Their Faith" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia