Extra Bio Info:

Rustamjon Norov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.

On October 17, 2020, Sugd Military Prosecutor's Office detained Norov, accusing him of falsifying his medical records to avoid military service.

On January 7, 2021, Norov was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for "refusing to perform military service duties with the purpose of evading it completely" (Art. 376-2 TCC).

On September 21, 2021, Norov was released from prison following a presidential pardon.

Extra Bio Info:

Artem Gerasimov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On March 20, 2019, Russian authorities in Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine, temporarily detained Gerasimov following raids on Jehovah Witness dwellings.  Authorities reportedly seized electronics as well as religious materials. 

On March 26, 2019, Gerasimov 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 March 5, 2020, the Yalta City Court fined Gerasimov 400,000 rubles.

On June 4, 2020, the Supreme Court of Crimea rejected Gerasimov's appeal and instead resentenced him to six years in prison. Gerasimov was taken into custody following the trial.

In October 2020, Gerasimov reportedly began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, but there was no formal diagnosis. 

Gerasimov is currently being held Penal Colony No. 12 in the Rostov region.

Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Filatov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On November 15, 2018, Russian authorities in Dzhankoy, Crimea, Ukraine, interrogated Filatov and released him on recognizance after police and special forces raided the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Filatov 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 March 5, 2020, the Dzhankoy District Court sentenced Filatov to six years in prison, one year of restricted freedom, and five years of deprived social rights.  He was taken into custody following the trial.

On May 26, 2020, the Supreme Court of Crimea upheld Filatov's sentence.

On July 12, 2020, Filatov was transferred to Penal Colony No. 12, Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Rostov region.

Filatov's eyesight has reportedly deteriorated while in prison.

Filatov is married with four children.