Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Illustrative photo

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Mass searches and interrogations in Omsk. A Criminal Case Initiated for Faith, 2 People Detained

Omsk Region

On March 4, 2024, searches were carried out in the homes of believers in Omsk. At least 10 people, most of them women, were taken to the investigative committee for interrogations. Leonid Pyzhov and Sergey Rygayev were placed in a temporary detention facility, and then in a pretrial detention center. A criminal case was initiated against them under Article 282.2(1) of the RF Criminal Code ("organizing the activity of an extremist organization").

The search at the home of the Rygaevs began around 7:00 a.m. and lasted approximately 5 hours. The security forces met the head of the family on the street. According to Sergey's friends, during the arrest he was knocked to the ground, hit several times, forcing him to unlock his phone. All electronic devices and 3 copies of the Bible were seized from the couple.

A 64-year-old woman also suffered from the searches. During the interrogation, she was asked what religion she belonged to and how the meetings were conducted.

The criminal case against Pyzhov and Rygaev was initiated on February 29, 2024 by investigator Mariya Volkova, who filed for searches in the homes of believers. The search warrant was issued by Yulia Gerstner, judge of the Kuibyshevsky District Court of the city of Omsk.

On March 5, the court ruled to place Leonid Pyzhov and Sergey Rygaev in a pretrial detention center.

Earlier in the Omsk Region, 5 Jehovah's Witnesses became defendants in criminal cases, 4 of them received various terms and have already served their sentences.

The Case of Rygaev and Pyzhov in Omsk

Case History
In March 2024, law enforcement officers in Omsk conducted searches in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses, dozens of believers were interrogated. During the searches, Sergey Rygaev and Leonid Pyzhov were beaten. The men were placed in a pre-trial detention center. For reading the Bible with friends, they were accused of organizing the activity of an extremist organization. In August of the same year, Sergey and Leonid were transferred to house arrest.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Omsk Region
Locality:
Omsk
Court case number:
12402520035000003
Initiated:
February 29, 2024
Current case stage:
preliminary investigation
Investigating:
First Investigative Division of the First Investigative Department of Especially Important Cases for the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Omsk Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Case History
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