Additional Name(s): Балабкин Владимир Моисеевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Health Concerns: Elderly, Cancer

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 1 Year's Suspended Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 4 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/13/2023

Date of Sentencing: September/13/2023

Date of Release: December/19/2023

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

Vladimir Balabkin

Extra Bio Info:

Vladimir Balabkin was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 13, 2023, the Belogorsk District Court sentenced Balabkin to four 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). Authorities had prosecuted Balabkin for holding Jehovah's Witness religious services. Balabkin was taken into custody following the verdict.

On December 19, 2023, the Amur Regional Court reduced Balabkin's sentence to one year of suspended imprisonment after it reclassified his charges to “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). Balabkin was released from custody following the verdict.

Balabkin is in his seventies and suffers from cancer. 

Balabkin is married, with his wife also suffering from serious medical issues.

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