Additional Name(s): Nikolay Aleksandrovich Stepanov, Степанов Николай Александрович

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No. 2, Vologda

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/5/2022

Date of Sentencing: September/5/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Distributing Religious Materials Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Nikolay Stepanov

Extra Bio Info:

Nikolay Stepanov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On December 19, 2019, authorities in Vologda detained Stepanov following searches on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Stepanov was accused of "convening meetings, organizing religious speeches and services at these meetings, distributing literature with extremist content, and collecting financial resources under the guise of donations.”

On August 13, 2020, Stepanov was placed under house arrest.

On September 25, 2020, Stepanov's house arrest was lifted.

On September 5, 2022, the Vologda City Court sentenced Stepanov to four years 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). He was taken into custody following the verdict.

Stepanov is married with one child.

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