Additional Name(s): Aleksei Berchuk, Aleksey Aleksandrovich Berchuk, Берчук Алексей, Берчук Алексей Александрович

Gender: Male

Current Location: IK No. 3, Mari El Republic

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/30/2021

Date of Release: June/30/2021

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

Aleksey Berchuk

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksey Berchuk is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On January 21, 2019, authorities arrested Berchuk at a Moscow airport. The next day, he was formally charged with “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).

On January 23, 2019, Berchuk was released and placed on recognizance.

On June 30, 2021, the Blagoveshchensk City Court of the Amur Region sentenced Berchuk to eight years in prison, one year and six months of restricted freedom, and a five-and-a-half-year prohibition of assuming governmental, organizational, and administrative positions. Berchuk was subsequently taken into state custody following the trial.

On September 2, 2021, Berchuk's sentence was upheld.

On December 15, 2021, Berchuk arrived at Penal Colony No. 3 in the Republic of Mari El.

Berchuk is married.

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