New Criminal Case for Faith in Crimea. Home of Jehovah's Witnesses Raided in Feodosia

On May 22, 2023, early in the morning a search was carried out at the home of a married couple in Feodosia. One of Jehovah's Witnesses, Maksim Zinchenko, 31, was detained and taken to Sevastopol.

The search, which took place from 06:30 to 10:00 am, was led by investigator Nikolay Pogorelov. The task force consisted of more than 10 people, five of whom were armed. The law enforcement officers ordered the hosts and the married couple who were visiting them to lie down on the floor. The investigator suggested that Zinchenko's wife cooperate with the investigation, intimidating her with a long prison term for her husband and a ban on visiting him. Electronic devices were confiscated from the believers. The detention of Maksim Zinchenko was preceded by a long period of surveillance.

Despite condemnation from the global community, the Russian authorities continue to prosecute Jehovah's Witnesses. In Crimea, 13 criminal cases for faith were initiated, 12 believers were sentenced to imprisonment in penal colonies.