Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Sri Lanka

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: May/27/2023

Date of Release: July/6/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Expression about Religion Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech

Nathasha Edirisooriya

Extra Bio Info:

Nathasha Edirisooriya was detained for blasphemy.

On May 27, 2023, police arrested and detained Edirisooriya after receiving a complaint that she made jokes insulting to Buddhism and Christianity during a stand-up comedy show. 

On May 28, 2023, authorities charged Edirisooriya with "uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings" (Sec. 291A SLPC), "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 291B SPLC), and "propagating war and advocating national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" (Sec. 3 Sri Lankan ICCPR Act, No. 56 2007).

On July 5, 2023, the Colombo High Court granted Edirisooriya bail.

On July 6, 2023, Edirisooriya was released on bail.

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Víctor Ticay

Gender: Male

Current Location: Sistema Penitenciario Nacional Jorge Navarro, Tipitapa

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: April/6/2023

Date of Sentencing: August/15/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition

Victor Ticay

Extra Bio Info:

Victor Ticay is imprisoned for covering religious issues.

On April 6, 2023, police arrested and detained Ticay, a journalist, for recording a banned Easter celebration in Nandaime and posting the footage online.

On May 19, 2023, prosecutors reportedly charged Ticay with "undermining national integrity" and "spreading fake news."

On June 9, 2023, a judge found Ticay guilty of both charges and transferred him to Sistema Penitenciario Nacional Jorge Navarro in Tipitapa, a prison also known as "La Modelo."

On August 15, 2023, Ticay was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Related cases: Emmanuel Gutiérrez, Jimmy Antonio Bonilla

Sources:
  • USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf and Frederick Davie, Tweet, October 2, 2023

Additional Name(s): Aydar Ilkhamovich Sageyev

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/23/2021

Date of Sentencing: March/13/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aydar Sageyev

Extra Bio Info:

Aydar Sageyev is imprisoned for his religious activity.

On November 23, 2021, authorities arrested Sageyev for meeting to study the writings of Said Nursi. Authorities accused him of organizing a banned "Nurdzhular" cell in Naberezhnye Chelny between 2020-2021, seeking out new members, and possessing religious literature.

On March 13, 2023, the Naberezhnyye Chelny City Court sentenced Sageyev to two years and six months 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).

Related Cases: Khunar Agayev

Sources:
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