Searches of Jehovah's Witnesses were conducted in the Altai Territory

In Barnaul and Rubtsovsk, security forces search the houses of Jehovah's Witnesses. At least 8 people have been detained for questioning. The European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses reported this to OVD-Info.

According to preliminary data, a criminal case has been initiated against a 23-year-old believer.

According to the association, security forces perceive joint meetings of believers to read and discuss the Bible, as well as conversations about God, as the activities of an extremist organization.

June 1 16:03 The press service of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia clarified the information following searches of believers in the Altai Territory. Thus, investigative actions took place in Barnaul, Zarinsk, Rubtsovsk, as well as in the village of Telmenka and the villages of Troitskoye and Shakhi.

At least 17 Jehovah's Witnesses were taken for interrogation to the FSB and Center "E". According to the press service, psychological pressure was exerted on believers; in several cases, before searches, security forces broke down doors and forced residents of houses where investigative actions were taking place to lie down on the floor.

The name of the Jehovah's Witness against whom a criminal case was opened became known - he turned out to be 24-year-old Pavel Kazadayev. The supporter of the confession was charged with participation in the activities of an extremist organization (Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code). The investigator demanded before the court that Kazadayev be placed under house arrest, but the believer was released on his own recognizance.

• On April 20, 2017, the Supreme Court recognized the “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” as an extremist organization, liquidated it and banned its activities in Russia. In August of the same year, all Jehovah's Witnesses organizations were added to the list of prohibited organizations. After this, criminal cases began to be opened en masse against believers.
• The Altai Territory has become the 66th region of Russia in which law enforcement agencies prosecute Jehovah's Witnesses.