Extra Bio Info:

Yuriy Savelyev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On November 8, 2018, authorities in Novosibirsk arrested Savelyev after searching his home. He was 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 December 16, 2020, the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk sentenced Savelyev to six years in prison.

On April 5, 2021, the Novosibirsk Regional Court upheld Savelyev's sentence.

On February 7, 2022 Novosibirsk Regional Court upheld Savelyev's sentence again.

On July 19, 2023, Savelyev was released from prison after completing his sentence.

Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Polyakov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 4, 2018, authorities in Omsk detained Polyakov after assaulting him upon violently entering his home. He 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). Polyakov was reportedly placed in solitary confinement. 

On December 4, 2018, the Omsk Regional Court replaced Polyakov's pretrial detention with house arrest.

On March 4, 2019, Polyakov's house arrest order was lifted. 

On November 30, 2020 the Pervomaiskiy District Court of Omsk sentenced Polyakov to three 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). Polyakov was accused of discussing religion and religious texts with others. His possession of Biblical cartoons and the Bible in different languages was also reportedly used as evidence against him. Polyakov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On May 28, 2021, the Omsk Regional Court upheld Polyakov's sentence. 

On November 30, 2022, Polyakov was released from prison after completing his sentence. 

Polyakov is married, and his wife, Anastasiya Polyakova, was detained and sentenced alongside him for her religious activities. 

Extra Bio Info:

Vasiliy Meleshko is imprisoned for his religious activity.

On August 11, 2021, the Abinsky District Court sentenced Meleshko to three years in prison for “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).  According to investigators, Meleshko "conducted and listened to lectures on the basis of religious literature...entered into conversations and religious discussions with other participants, participated in a collective discussion of religious books." Meleshko was taken into custody following the verdict.

On October 7, 2021, the Judicial Collegium of the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Meleshko's sentence.

Meleshko is married with two children.