Additional Name(s): Vladimir Vasiliyevich Melnik, Мельник Владимир Васильевич

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Orel

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/9/2020

Date of Sentencing: October/13/2023

Current Status: Not 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

Vladimir Melnik

Extra Bio Info:

Vladimir Melnik is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On December 9, 2020, authorities in Oryol detained Melnik following searches of the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses.

In October 2021, Melnik 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 October 13, 2023, the Sovetskiy District Court sentenced Melnik to six years in prison.

Related Cases: Vladimir Piskarev, Artur Putintsev

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Sergey Aleksandrovich Tolokonnikov, Толоконников Сергей Александрович

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Centre No. 5, Moscow

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/20/2021

Date of Sentencing: July/12/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Sergey Tolokonnikov

Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Tolokonnikov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On October 20, 2021, authorities detained Tolokonnikov following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow and the Odintsov City district, Moscow region. Tolokonnikov was accused of engaging in extremist activities for discussing the Bible with an undercover FSB agent.

On July 12, 2023, the Savelovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Marunov to five years in prison for “recruitment or other involvement of a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC).

Related Cases: Roman Mareyev, Anatoliy Marunov

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Anatoliy Viktorovich Marunov, Марунов Анатолий Викторович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/20/2021

Date of Sentencing: July/12/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Anatoliy Marunov

Extra Bio Info:

Anatoliy Marunov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On October 20, 2021, authorities detained Marunov following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow and the Odintsov City district, Moscow region. Marunov was accused of engaging in extremist activities for discussing the Bible with an undercover FSB agent.

On October 22, 2021, Marunov was placed under house arrest.

On July 12, 2023, the Savelovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Marunov to six 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). Marunov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

Related Cases: Roman Mareyev, Sergey Tolokonnikov

Publicly Available Information:
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