Additional Name(s): Sergey Nikolayevich Melnik, Мельник Сергей Николаевич

Gender: Male

Current Location: Detention Centre No. 3, Volgograd

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: September/23/2021

Date of Sentencing: September/23/2021

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 Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Sergey Melnik

Extra Bio Info:

Sergey Melnik is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On May 16, 2019, authorities in Volgograd arrested several Jehovah's Witnesses, including Melnik. They were reportedly accused of participating in “mass events to watch, listen to, and discuss audio and video materials propagating the cult of religious superiority of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Melnik 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).

On November 22, 2019, Melnik 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) instead of “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).

On December 26, 2019, Melnik was released.

On September 23, 2021, the Traktorozavodsky District Court of Volgograd sentenced Melnik to six 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). Melnik was taken into custody following the verdict.

On March 18, 2022, the Volgograd Regional Court upheld Melnik's sentence.

On January 19, 2023, the Fourth General Jurisdiction Court of Cassation in Krasnodar upheld Melnik's sentence. 

Related Cases: Igor Egozaryan, Valeriy Rogozin, Denis Peresunko

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