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Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Mass Searches and Detentions of Believers in Kursk

October 18, 2019 Kursk Region

On October 16, 2019, groups of law enforcement officers raided at least 4 families of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kursk. 43-year-old Andrey Andreev was sent to jail. Also, 47-year-old Artem Bagratyan and his wife Alevtina do not get in touch (presumably arrested).

Law enforcement officers do not hide the fact that their actions are due to the religion of citizens.

Case of Andreyev and Others in Kursk

Case History

In October 2019, the FSB initiated a criminal case against Andrey Andreyev, Artem Bagratyan and his wife Alevtina. Andreyev was accused of organizing the activity of an extremist organization, while the others were accused of participating in it. They were placed in a detention center. Later, another believer, Andrey Ryshkov, was arrested. At the end of 2020, Alevtina Bagratyan was transferred to house arrest. Artem Bagratyan suffers from diabetes and other chronic diseases; his condition required inpatient treatment, which he was denied by the management of the detention center. In June 2021, the court sentenced: Andrey Andreyev to 4.5 years in a penal colony, Andrey Ryshkov - 3 years in a penal colony, Artem Bagratyan - 2.5 years in a penal colony and his wife, Alevtina - 2 years in a penal colony. Aleksandr Vospitanyuk was given a 2-year suspended sentence. In January 2022, the court of appeal, and a year later, the court of cassation, upheld this decision. All of the believers have already served their terms.

Timeline