Additional Name(s): Yuriy Aleksandrovich Yakovlev, Яковлев Юрий Александрович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/29/2022

Date of Sentencing: March/17/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Yuriy Yakovlev

Extra Bio Info:

Yuriy Yakovlev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On March 29, 2022, authorities in Sosnovoborsk detained Yakovlev following searches on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused of “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 "organizing religious performances and services via online broadcasts."

On March 17, 2023, the Sosnovoborsk City Court of the Krasnoyarsk Territory sentenced Yakovlev to six years and two months in prison.

On May 21, 2024, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court upheld Yakovlev’s sentence.

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