Additional Name(s): Sergey Aleksandrovich Klikunov, Кликунов Сергей Александрович
Gender: Male
Current Location: Penal Colony No. 4, Tatarstan
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: June/9/2020
Date of Sentencing: October/25/2021
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 Illicit Financing
Sergey Klikunov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On June 9, 2020, authorities detained Klikunov following raids by security officials in Astrakhan on the homes of 27 Jehovah Witness families. The day before, police had launched a criminal case against him, Rustam Diarov, and Yevgeniy Ivanov for allegedly “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) and “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC).
In June 2021, Klikunov's trial reportedly began.
On October 25, 2021, the Trusovskiy District Court of Astrakhan sentenced Klikunov to eight years in prison.
On March 3, 2022, the Astrakhan Regional Court upheld Klikunov's sentence.
Klikunov is serving his sentence at Penal Colony No. 4 in the Republic of Tatarstan.
Klikunov is married with children.
Related Cases: Yevgeniy Ivanov, Olga Ivanova, Rustam Diarov
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses
"Sergey Klikunov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"An Appeal in the City Astrakhan Upheld Prison Sentences for Four Jehovah's Witnesses, Including a Woman" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
USCIRF Tweet December 16, 2021
"More Jehovah's Witnesses Handed Lengthy Prison Terms In Russia" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"Russia Sentences Jehovah's Witnesses to Lengthy Prison Terms" Moscow Times
"Unprecedented Verdict in Astrakhan: Three Jehovah's Witnesses Got 8 Years Each, One More Believer - 3.5 years in prison" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Joyful Despite Extended Detention and House Arrest in Russia" Jehovah's Witnesses
"Unprecedented Verdict in Astrakhan: Three Jehovah's Witnesses Got 8 Years Each, One More Believer - 3.5 years in prison" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia" Jehovah's Witnesses