Additional Name(s): Dmitriy Nikolayevich Dolzhikov, Должиков Дмитрий Николаевич

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No.1, Novosibirsk

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 3 Years' Forced Labor

Date of Detainment: September/8/2022

Date of Sentencing: June/30/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Other

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Dmitriy Dolzhikov

Extra Bio Info:

Dmitriy Dolzhikov is undergoing compulsory labor for his religious belief and activity.

On September 8 2022, authorities in Chelyabinsk arrested Dolzhikov after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Dolzhikov 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) after he allegedly “intentionally, out of extremist motives, took part in the activities of a religious association...in the form of participation in religious meetings and meetings of an extremist organization, holding conversations with residents of Chelyabinsk, showing and watching educational videos.”

On November 24, 2022, Dolzhikov was placed under house arrest.

On June 30, 2023, the Leninskiy District Court of Novosibirsk sentenced Dolzhikov to three years in prison, replaced with three years of forced labor.

On September 22, 2023, the Novosibirsk Regional Court upheld Dolzhikov's sentence.

On November 16, 2023, Dolzhikov arrives to his correctional center to begin serving his sentence.

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