Extra Bio Info:

Yevgeniy Korotun is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 14, 2020, authorities raided the home of Korotun and other Jehovah's Witnesses and arrested Korotun. They also reportedly confiscated electronics, religious texts, and other items.  The basis of the investigation against Korotun reportedly stems from audio recordings of him discussing the Bible.

On July 15, 2020, Korotun was placed under house arrest.

On September 7, 2020, the Seversky City Court of Tomsk revoked Korotun's house arrest order and instead order him to remain in pre-trial detention.

On January 20, 2022, the Seversky City Court of Tomsk sentenced Korotun to seven years in prison, one year of restricted freedom, and several other prohibitions 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).

On May 16, 2022,  the Tomsk Regional Court upheld Korotun's sentence.

On March 16, 2023, the Eighth Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction upheld Korotun's sentence.

Korotun is married with one child from his current marriage and another adult child from a previous marriage.

Extra Bio Info:

Maksim Beltikov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In April 2020, authorities raided Beltikov's home.

In June 2021, a formal investigation was opened against Beltikov for allegedly “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). The basis of the investigation was reportedly over an audio recording of Beltikov discussing the Bible.

On January 17, 2022, the Pavlovskiy District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Beltikov to two years in prison. Beltikov was taken into custody following the trial.

On September 15, 2023, Beltikov was released from prison after completing his sentence.

Beltikov is married with three children.

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksey Yershov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In July 2020, security forces raided the home of Yershov and other Jehovah's Witnesses. They reportedly confiscated electronics, Bibles, books, and several other items.

On March 30, 2021, Yershov was formally 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) after being recorded performing ordinary religious activities, such as singing songs, praying, and discussing religious teachings.

On January 19, 2022, the Seversk City Court of Tomsk sentenced Yershov to three years in prison. He was taken into state custody following the trial.

On April 7, 2022, the Tomsk Regional Court commuted Yershov's sentence and gave him three years' suspended sentence.  The verdict went immediately into force.

Yershov is married.