In the Nizhny Novgorod and Astrakhan Regions, Searches at homes of Jehovah's Witnesses Were Carried Out. Six Believers Detained

On July 2, 2024, at least 9 addresses of Jehovah's Witnesses were searched in the city of Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Region, and another search was conducted by Nizhny Novgorod law enforcement officers in Akhtubinsk, about 1100 km from Kstovo. In total, the investigative measures affected more than 20 people.

The law enforcement officers went to a home of a believer, 57, at about 6 a.m. During the search, her mobile devices, laptop and hard drive were confiscated. She was threatened with arrest and asked questions about other believers whose homes had been searched that morning. After that, she was taken for interrogation.

While searching the house of a married couple, law enforcement officers behaved aggressively. Armed SOBR fighters knocked down the 55-year-old owner of the house, twisted his arm behind his back and pressed him to the floor with their knee, although he did not resist. The security forces confiscated electronic devices from believers and demanded that they provide passwords.

In some cases, searches took place in the presence of minor children. Also, electronic and storage devices were seized from their parents. During the search of another family's home, investigators confiscated two cars.

After the searches, four residents of Kstovo were detained. Another married couple, a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, were detained by Nizhny Novgorod law enforcement officers in Akhtubinsk (Astrakhan Region) as part of the same case.