News

On March 26, 2019, the Federal Security Service charged Artem Gerasimov with organizing extremist activities. Another one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Taras Kuzyo, is a suspect in this case. Both men were released after being interrogated.

The Pervomaysky District Court of Kirov on March 28, 2019,  refused investigators’ request to extend the term of Yevgeny Suvorkov’s detention.

On February 28, 2019, the Lomonosovsky District Court of Arkhangelsk ordered the seizure of two cars of the Yakku family. The court session was attended only by the judge and the prosecutor.

Sergey Skrynnikov has been found guilty and was fined 350,000 rubles. This ruling was announced on April 1, 2019, by the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Oryol.

Mr. Skrynnikov is the second of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city of Oryol caught in the millstones of persecution for his faith. What helps him not to give up? What was his way to faith? What is his reaction to criminal prosecution? 

Earlier, Prosecutor asked the court to impose a three-year prison sentence, alleging “participation in the activities of an extremist organization."

On March 26, 2019, in the town of Yemanzhelinsk, 10 men wearing masks and carrying assault weapons and a sledge hammer (for breaking through the door) came to the apartment of local Witnesses in order to conduct a search.

On the morning of March 26, 2019, a wave of new searches began in Kirov in the homes of citizens thought to be Jehovah's Witnesses. It is known there were searches in at least 10 apartments. Several people were  detained.

On March 19, 2019, a court decided to send two Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sergey Sergeyev, who is 63 years of age, and Yuriy Belosludtsev, both from the village of Luchegorsk, to a detention center.

The European Court withdrew the urgent interim measures regarding one of Jehovah's Witnesses in Surgut who complained of torture (such measures are usually imposed when there is a threat to the life of the applicant). However, the withdrawal does not mean that the ECHR recognized a failure to prove torture.

On March 21, 2019, at least five searches were carried out in the town of Zeya (Amur Region). A criminal case was initiated against Konstantin Moiseenko, 42.

On March 13, 2019, in Arkhangelsk Region, searches were carried out in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A criminal case was opened against Vladimir Teterin, 61, and Sergey Potilitsyn, 37.

At least six homes of local Jehovah's Witnesses were searched on March 20, 2019, in the Crimean towns of Yalta and Alupka. A criminal case has been initiated against believers. Several persons were detained for interrogation. 34-year-old Artyom Gerasimov was taken to the republican center city of Simferopol.

The morning of March 20, 2019, for Jehovah's Witnesses in Magadan began with their homes being invaded by FSB officers.

On March 17, 2019, in the Primorsky Territory, searches were conducted in the homes of citizens whom law enforcement authorities consider to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Two believers were detained and taken to the town of Dalnerechensk.

Trial of Sergey Skrynnikov, the second Witness accused in the city of Oryol, shifted to the stage of debate.

On February 28, 2019, in the cities of Nefteyugansk and Pyt-Yakh (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area - Yugra), located near Surgut, searches were held in the homes of citizens suspected of practicing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

On March 1, 2019, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria overturned a lower court’s conviction of Arkadya Akopyan. The decision takes effect immediately.

One believer was jailed and four others placed under house arrest February 28, 2019, in Ulyanovsk.

On February 25, 2019, in the town of Kurilsk and in the village of Reydovo, FSB officers searched two women. Although the operation was called the “Inspection of the premises," computers, hard drives, cell phones, and other personal items were confiscated from the two women.