Additional Name(s): Aleksander Nikolayev, Aleksandr Georgiyevich Nikolayev, Николаев Александр Георгиевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/30/2021

Date of Sentencing: December/23/2021

Date of Release: September/19/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Nikolayev

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Nikolayev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 30, 2021, authorities detained Aleksandr after summoning him for interrogation. Nikolayev's arrest was reportedly in relation to his discussing of the Bible with his friends and family.

On December 23, 2021, the Abinsk District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Nikolayev to two years and six months 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).

On September 19, 2023, Nikolayev was released after completing his sentence.

Nikolayev is married with five children.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Yuriy Aleksandrovich Usanov,

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No. 4, Kemerovo

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: April/2/2021

Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023

Date of Release: August/15/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Yuriy Usanov

Extra Bio Info:

Yuriy Usanov was detained for his religious belief and activity.

On April 2, 2021, authorities arrested Usanov from his home after accusing him of "convening and holding meetings of its members and holding talks” via Zoom. Usanov was under investigation 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 August 1, 2023, the prosecution reclassified Usanov's charges to “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 August 15, 2023, the Taiginsky City Court of the Kemerovo Region sentenced Usanov to three years in prison. Usanov was released following the verdict since he had already served his sentence in pre-trial detention.

Usanov is married.

Related Cases: Maksim Morozov

Publicly Available Information:
 

Additional Name(s): Maksim Yevgeniyevich Morozov, Морозов Максим Евгеньевич

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No. 4, Kemerovo

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/6/2021

Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023

Date of Release: August/15/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Maksim Morozov

Extra Bio Info:

Maksim Morozov was detained for his religious belief and activity.

On August 6, 2021, authorities arrested Morozov after accusing him of "convening and holding meetings of its members and holding talks” via Zoom. The following day, 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 August 1, 2023, the prosecution reclassified Morozov's charges to “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 August 15, 2023, the Taiginsky City Court of the Kemerovo Region sentenced Morozov to three years in prison. Morozov was released following the verdict since he had already served his sentence in pre-trial detention.

Related Cases: Yuriy Usanov

Publicly Available Information:
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