Additional Name(s): Vladimir Nikolayevich Popov, Попов Владимир Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Health Concerns: Respiratory issues

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/12/2020

Date of Sentencing: September/19/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

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

Vladimir Popov

Extra Bio Info:

Vladimir Popov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On August 12, 2020, authorities arrested Popov after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses and arresting several of them days before. Popov was reportedly being investigated 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) for attending religious meetings, discussing the Bible, praying, and singing religious songs.

In July 2021, Popov was transferred to a hospital after experiencing respiratory problems. He returned to his detention center two months later in September 2021.

On September 19, 2022, the Gukovo City Court of the Rostov region sentenced Popov to seven years in prison.

On January 19, 2023, the Rostov Regional Court upheld Popov's sentence.

On July 25, 2023, the Fourth General Jurisdiction Court of Cassation upheld Popov's sentence.

Popov is married with three children.

Related Cases: Aleksey Dyadkin, Aleksey Goreliy, Nikita Moiseyev, Yevgeniy Razumov, Oleg Shidlovskiy

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