Additional Name(s): Sergey Panteleymonovich Afanasiyev, Афанасьев Сергей Пантелеймонович

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Center No. 1, Amur Region

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/21/2022

Date of Sentencing: December/21/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Praying Religious Activity Religious Belief Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing

Sergey Afanasiyev

Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Afanasiyev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On December 21, 2022, the Blagoveshchensk City Court of the Amur Region sentenced Afanasiyev to six years and six months 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) and “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC). Afanasiyev and others were accused of Jehovah's Witness religious activities, including reading the Bible, praying, singing religious songs and discussing religious teachings. Afanasiyev was taken into custody following the verdict.

On May 11, 2023, the Amur Regional Court upheld Afanasiyev's sentence.

On September 26, 2023, the Ninth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction in Vladivostok upheld Afanasiyev's sentence.

Related Cases: Sergey Kardakov, Anton Olshevskiy, Adam Svarichevskiy, Sergey Yermilov

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