Additional Name(s): Vasiliy Vladimirovich Meleshko, Мелешко Василий Владимирович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/11/2021

Date of Sentencing: August/11/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Vasiliy Meleshko

Extra Bio Info:

Vasiliy Meleshko is imprisoned for his religious activity.

On August 11, 2021, the Abinsky District Court sentenced Meleshko to three years in prison for “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).  According to investigators, Meleshko "conducted and listened to lectures on the basis of religious literature...entered into conversations and religious discussions with other participants, participated in a collective discussion of religious books." Meleshko was taken into custody following the verdict.

On October 7, 2021, the Judicial Collegium of the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Meleshko's sentence.

Meleshko is married with two children.

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