Additional Name(s): Artem Vyacheslavovich Gerasimov, Герасимов Артём Вячеславович

Gender: Male

Current Location: Penal Colony No. 12, Rostov

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/4/2020

Date of Sentencing: June/4/2020

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

Artem Gerasimov

Extra Bio Info:

Artem Gerasimov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On March 20, 2019, Russian authorities in Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine, temporarily detained Gerasimov following raids on Jehovah Witness dwellings.  Authorities reportedly seized electronics as well as religious materials. 

On March 26, 2019, Gerasimov 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 March 5, 2020, the Yalta City Court fined Gerasimov 400,000 rubles.

On June 4, 2020, the Supreme Court of Crimea rejected Gerasimov's appeal and instead resentenced him to six years in prison. Gerasimov was taken into custody following the trial.

In October 2020, Gerasimov reportedly began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, but there was no formal diagnosis. 

Gerasimov is currently being held Penal Colony No. 12 in the Rostov region.

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