Extra Bio Info:

Lyudmila Shchekoldina was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On May 23, 2022, the Pavlovsky District Court of Krasnodar sentenced Shchekoldina to four years and one month in prison for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC) and “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). Shchekoldina was accused of trying to convince someone to become a Jehovah's Witness and for discussing the Bible. She was taken into custody following the verdict.

On October 6, 2022, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Shchekoldina's sentence.

On March 23, 2023, the Fourth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Krasnodar upheld Shchekoldina's sentence.

On August 7, 2023, Shchekoldina was admitted to a hospital for an operation. Shchekoldina reportedly received permission for the surgery in February 2023 but prison authorities delayed her medical case, despite her suffering from severe pain.

In April 2026, Shchekoldina was released from prison. 

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Filatov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 13, 2021, authorities in Vladikavkaz detained Filatov after accusing him of holding religious services. 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 December 28, 2022, the Oktyabrskiy District Court in Krasnoyarsk sentenced Filatov to six years in prison.

On July 20, 2023, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court upheld Filatov's sentence.

Filatov is married with two children.

Extra Bio Info:

Danil Suvorov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On August 18, 2021, authorities in Sochi detained Suvorov following searches on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was accused of “using his authority as the spiritual leader of a follower of the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses," which included "inducing, recruiting and otherwise involving...in the activities of a banned extremist organization." Suvorov was investigated for “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC) and “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 June 20, 2023, the Tsentralniy District Court of Sochi sentenced Suvorov to six years' imprisonment. On May 7, 2024, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Suvorov’s sentence.

In April 2026, Suvorov was released, subject to travel restrictions. 

During detention, authorities subjected him to solitary confinement.