Searches of Jehovah's Witnesses took place in Moscow

On August 25, security forces came to search at least five Moscow apartments of followers of Jehovah's Witnesses. This was reported on a website covering the persecution of believers.

During the searches, security forces seized computers, storage media, bank cards, international passports and children's drawings. Three believers were detained after interrogation: 57-year-old Eduard Sviridov, 49-year-old Sean Pike, 44-year-old Alexander Rumyantsev. On August 27, the Cheryomushkinsky District Court will choose a preventive measure for them.

It is still unknown what status the detainees are in and what article they are charged with.

• 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. Later, all Jehovah's Witnesses organizations were added to the list of prohibited organizations. After this, a stream of criminal cases against representatives of the confession began. Most of them are charged with involvement in the activities of an extremist organization (Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code). Some believers are tried under the article on financing such activities (Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code).