Additional Name(s): Valeriy Vasilyevich Moskalenko, Москаленко Валерий Васильевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/2/2018

Date of Sentencing: September/2/2019

Date of Release: September/2/2019

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Valeriy Moskalenko

Extra Bio Info:

Valeriy Moskalenko was detained for his religious belief and activity. 

On August 2, 2018, authorities detained Moskalenko following a raid on his apartment. 

On August 29, 2019, Moskalenko 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).  During his trial, prosecutors argued that Moskalenko's reading of a passage from the Bible among colleagues constituted extremist activity. 

On September 2, 2019, the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Khabarovsk sentenced Moskalenko to two years and two months of forced labor and six months of restricted freedom.  He was subsequently released from state custody.

On November 5, 2019, the Khabarovsk Regional Court replaced Moskalenko's prison sentence with a 500,000 ruble fine.

Prior to his arrest, Moskalenko was responsible for taking care of his elderly mother.

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