Additional Name(s): Sergey Vladimirovich Kosteyev, Костеев Сергей Владимирович

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Centre No. 1, Irkutsk

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/4/2021

Date of Sentencing: March/5/2024

Current Status: Not Released

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 Kosteyev

Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Kosteyev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On October 4, 2021, authorities in Irkutsk detained Kosteyev following raids on the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. Investigators had reportedly opened a criminal case against him following secret audio recordings of worship services which included participants praying, singing, and reading the Bible.

On March 5, 2024, the Oktyabrskiy District Court of Irkutsk sentenced Kosteyev to seven 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) 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).

Related Cases: Yaroslav Kalin, Nikolay Martynov, Mikhail Moysh, Igor Popov, Denis Sarazhakov, Aleksey Solnechny, Andrey Tolmachev, Sergey Vasilyev

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