Additional Name(s): Viktor Vladimirovich Zimovskiy, Зимовский Виктор Владимирович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Replaced with 6 Years, 2 Months' Suspended Imprisonment

Sentence: 6 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/14/2022

Date of Sentencing: November/14/2022

Date of Release: March/1/2023

Current Status: 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 Illicit Financing

Viktor Zimovskiy

Extra Bio Info:

Viktor Zimovskiy was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On January 23, 2020, authorities in Georgievsk detained Zimovskiy after summoning him for questioning. Zimovskiy was reportedly being investigated for holding religious services and having discussions about religious topics. 

On March 23, 2020, Zimovskiy was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.

On May 6, 2020, Zimovskiy's house arrest was lifted.

On November 14, 2022, the Georgievsk City Court of the Stavropol Territory sentenced Zimovskiy to six years and two 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). Zimovskiy was also reportedly convicted of “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). Zimovskiy was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On March 1, 2023, the Stavropol Regional Court replaced Zimovskiy's sentence with a suspended sentence. He was subsequently released from prison.

Sources: