Additional Name(s): 万长春

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: April/11/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud

Wan Changchun

Extra Bio Info:

Wan Changchun is detained for his religious belief and activity.

On April 11, 2023, authorities from Yuhui district, Bengbu municipality, Anhui province detained Wan, a pastor from the Living Stone Reformed Church, in Lijiang municipality, Yunnan province for alleged "illegal business activity" (Art. 225 CCL). Wan was one among hundreds of pastors who had signed onto a letter condemning state policy changes in 2017 that resulted in greater persecution of Christians.

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Вирич Антон Александрович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: July/11/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Anton Virich

Extra Bio Info:

Anton Virich is detained for his religious belief and activity.

On July 11, 2023, authorities in Uzhur detained Virich and subsequently disappeared him for nine days until friends found him in the Spassk-Dalniy detention center. 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).

Additional Name(s): Куприянский Николай Викторович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/8/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Nikolay Kupriyanskiy

Extra Bio Info:

Nikolay Kupriyanskiy is under house arrest for his religious belief and activity.

On August 8, 2023, authorities in Kursk detained Kupriyanskiy after searching the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Kupriyanskiy was charged with “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 10, 2023, the Leninskiy District Court of Kursk placed Kupriyanskiy under house arrest.

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