The Case of Firsov and Kovalenko in Slavgorod

Case History

In June 2026, in the cities of Yarovoye and Slavgorod, Altai Territory, officers of the Investigative Committee detained Valeriy Firsov and Viktor Kovalenko, both 69, who practice the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They were interrogated as suspects in participating in extremist activity and sent to a temporary detention facility. The following day, they were charged with organizing the activity of an extremist organization. Several months earlier, searches were conducted at the homes of the believers. After their detention, Viktor and Valeriy were placed under house arrest.
Timeline

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    House arrest Elderly
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    Health risk Elderly

    Valeriy Firsov and Viktor Kovalenko are beginning to review the case materials. The investigator does not allow them to copy the video recordings onto a memory card, citing the ban on believers using communication devices. During the review, Kovalenko suffers heart problems and is taken by ambulance to the cardiology department of Slavgorod. The question of transferring him to a hospital in Barnaul is being considered.

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    Health risk

    The investigator comes directly to the hospital to see Kovalenko and, under threat of immediate remand in custody, forces him to sign a document confirming that he has reviewed the case materials.

    On the same day, Firsov also completes his review of the case — again under pressure: the investigator rushes him and once again denies him access to the video materials.

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