Criminal Case for Faith, Searches and Detentions in the Orenburg Region

On the morning of May 16, 2018, a series of searches were conducted in the homes of citizens believed to be Jehovah's Witnesses in Orenburg and Buzuluk (Orenburg Region). According to preliminary information, three citizens were detained, three more were taken on their own recognizance. It is known that citizens are prosecuted under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in an extremist organization).

It is expected that on May 17, 2018, decisions will be made on the measure of restraint for detainees.

This criminal case was a direct consequence of the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to liquidate and ban the activities of all 396 registered organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. Law enforcers mistakenly mistake the joint religion of citizens for participation in an extremist organization.