Additional Name(s): Aleksandr Vladimirovich Chagan, Чаган Александр Владимирович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/29/2024

Date of Sentencing: February/29/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Chagan

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Chagan is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On February 29, 2024, the Central District Court of Tolyatti in the Samara Region sentenced Chagan to eight years 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). The charges are connected to Chagan's religious activities as a Jehovah's Witness. An undercover agent had secretly recorded small worship meetings held virtually. Chagan was taken into custody following the verdict.

Additional Name(s): Орлов Олег Петрович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/27/2024

Date of Sentencing: February/27/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Oleg Orlov

Extra Bio Info:

Oleg Orlov is imprisoned in relation to his human rights work.

On February 27, 2024, the Golovinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Orlov, the 70-year old co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization Memorial, to two years and six months in prison for "discrediting the Russian armed forces" (Art. 280.3-1 RCC) after he held several single-person protests opposing Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and authored an article criticizing Russia's invasion. Orlov's imprisonment comes amid a sweeping crackdown on Russian human rights organizations and defenders, including those working on religious freedom issues. Memorial under Orlov's tenure extensively documented, reported on, and defended FoRB prisoners of conscience in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. Orlov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Date of Detainment: November/29/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Online Activity Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Hate Speech

Freddy Quezada

Extra Bio Info:

Freddy Quezada is imprisoned for criticizing religious freedom conditions.

On November 29, 2023, the Nicaraguan authorities arrested Quezada, a professor, after he criticized the Nicaraguan government's treatment of Bishop Rolando Álvarez on social media.

In January or February 2024, Quezada was found guilty of "incitement to hatred."