New searches and interrogations of peaceful Christians in Novosibirsk

On the morning of July 29, 2019, another wave of police raids on the apartments of believers took place in Novosibirsk. The next victims were Igor Muravyov, Anton Shakhmatov, Oleg Epifanov, Sergey Kozlyuk and Alexander Serikov. The investigation suspects them of professing the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. Personal property was seized.

At about 8 a.m. on July 29, the search began in the apartment of 54-year-old Igor Muravyov. He himself was at work at that time. His wife managed to contact her husband and tell him about what happened, but after a while the connection with him was lost. Later it became known that Igor Muravyov was taken to the police station for interrogation.

On the same day, information was received about two more searches carried out in the homes of Anton Shakhmatov and Oleg Epifanov. They were also taken to the local police station for questioning. It is known about searches in the apartments of Sergey Kozlyuk and Alexander Serikov. Details are being specified.

In Novosibirsk, criminal cases for faith have already been initiated against six people. One of them, Yuri Savelyev, has been behind bars for more than six months. Believers claim that they have nothing to do with extremism.