Extra Bio Info:

Igor Egozaryan was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On May 16, 2019, authorities in Volgograd arrested several Jehovah's Witnesses, including Egozaryan. They were reportedly accused of participating in “mass events to watch, listen to, and discuss audio and video materials propagating the cult of religious superiority of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Egozaryan 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).

On November 22, 2019, Egozaryan 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) instead of “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).

On December 26, 2019, Egozaryan was released.

On September 23, 2021, the Traktorozavodsky District Court of Volgograd sentenced Egozaryan to six 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). Egozaryan was taken into custody following the verdict.

On March 18, 2022, the Volgograd Regional Court upheld Egozaryan's sentence.

On January 19, 2023, the Fourth General Jurisdiction Court of Cassation in Krasnodar upheld Egozaryan's sentence.

In December 2025, Egozaryan was released.

Related Cases: Sergey Melnik, Valeriy Rogozin, Denis Peresunko

Extra Bio Info:

Oleg Danilov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On March 30, 2021, the Krasnodar Territory Abinsky District Court sentenced Danilov 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). Authorities reportedly accused Danilov of participating “in religious teaching and sermons...through information and telecommunication networks,...entered into discussions in a collective discussion of the Bible,...read aloud to other participants the religious books Jehovah's Witnesses, with an emphasis on the fact that that these books contain the correct knowledge about God... ”. Danilov was taken into custody following the verdict.

On May 25, 2021, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Danilov's sentence.

In October 2021, it was reported that Danilov had been arbitrarily placed in a punishment cell for alleged prison violations.

On March 1, 2024, Danilov was released from prison after completing his sentence.

Extra Bio Info:

Roman Baranovskiy is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On April 10, 2019, authorities in Abkan arrested Baranovskiy following raids on the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses.

On February 19, 2020, Baranovskiy is 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 February 24, 2021, the Abakan City Court sentenced Baranovskiy to six years in prison. Baranovskiy's prosecution reportedly stemmed from his religious activities, including singing songs, praying communally, and discussing the Bible with people at his home.

On May 24, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Khakassia upheld Baranovskiy's sentence.