Additional Name(s): Andrey Nikolayevich Bochkarev, Бочкарёв Андрей Николаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 3 Years, 1 Month's Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: January/19/2020

Date of Sentencing: February/20/2023

Date of Release: February/20/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Andrey Bochkarev

Extra Bio Info:

Andrey Bochkarev was detained for his religious belief and activity. 

On January 19, 2020, authorities in Kazan detained Bochkarev alongside several other Jehovah's Witnesses in relation to their religious activities.

On February 20, 2023, the Vakhitovsky District Court of Kazan sentenced Bochkarev to three years and one month 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). Bochkarev was released from prison following the verdict after serving his entire sentence in pretrial detention.

On November 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan upheld Bochkarev's sentence.

Sources: