Biography
In October 2025, investigators of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation initiated a criminal case against residents of the city of Uyar — Viktor Kononov and Aflatun Safarov. Their homes were searched, after which the court remanded the elderly men in custody. In February 2026, Sergey Soroka, Aleksandr and Zakhar Vakarev, and Ivan Starikov were detained, with Ivan Starikov being sent to a pretrial detention center. The investigation regarded the holding of peaceful meetings for worship as organizing the activity of an extremist organization and participating in it. In the spring of 2026, the court ruled to transfer Ivan Starikov and Aflatun Safarov to house arrest.
Case History
In October 2025, employees of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation initiated a criminal case against residents of the city of Uyar, Viktor Kononov and Aflatun Safarov. Searches of their homes were conducted, after which the court remanded the elderly men in custody. In February 2026, Sergey Soroka, Aleksandr and Zakhar Vakarev, and Ivan Starikov were detained; Ivan Starikov was placed in a pretrial detention center. The investigation interpreted the holding of peaceful meetings for worship as organizing the activity of an extremist organization and participating in it. In the spring of 2026, the court decided to transfer Ivan Starikov and Aflatun Safarov to house arrest.