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Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Security Forces in Yet Another Region of the Russian Federation Initiated a Case Against Jehovah's Witnesses. Searches and Interrogations Took Place in Elista

Kalmykia

In Elista, on February 28, 2023, searches were conducted in at least three places. Kalmykia security officials suspect local residents of extremism because they profess the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. After being searched and interrogated, Kishta Tutinova was placed in a temporary detention center for two days.

The FSB Directorate for the Republic of Kalmykia is responsible for the raid. On February 16, Investigator D. V. Menkenov initiated a criminal case against Kishta Tutinova for organizing the activity of an extremist organization, as well as against unidentified persons for participating in this activity (parts 1 and 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The investigation believes that Tutinova, from her home, "conducts religious meetings and directly participates in them by means of online videoconferencing and also involves the residents of the region in the activities of this organization for the purpose of propaganda."

Update.

The search in Kishta Tutinova’s house began early in the morning and lasted almost three hours. It was conducted by five law enforcement officers. According to the believer, the security forces did not provide documents authorizing the search. They seized a Bible, three mobile phones, personal letters and notes. Despite the believer's requests, she was not given copies of the search protocol or the interrogation protocol.

By 5 p.m., Kishta Tutinova was taken to the detention center. One of the FSB officers handed her five liters of water and a cupcake to take with her. The believer, who is 62 years old, spent two days in the temporary detention facility, after which, on March 1, the court placed her under house arrest.

The believer was taken to the apartment of one of her sons, where a search was conducted but nothing was seized. As part of this criminal case, searches were conducted at the homes of two other women. Electronic devices, personal correspondence and notes were seized from both of these homes. One believer was immediately brought in for interrogation. An ambulance had to be called for the second woman during the investigative actions.

According to human rights activists, in 2023, repressions against Jehovah's Witnesses are gaining momentum, despite the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which completely exonerated them.

The Case of Tutinova and Others in Elista

Case History
In February 2023, the FSB initiated a criminal case for organizing the activity of an extremist organization against pensioner Kishta Tutinova from Elista and invaded her home and the homes of her fellow believers with searches. According to the investigation, she “conducted religious meetings and directly participated in them by means of online conferences.” She spent 2 days in the temporary detention facility, more than 4 months under house arrest and about 7 months under a ban on certain actions. Tsagan Khalgayeva and Yekaterina Menkova were witnesses in the case, but in December 2023 they were charged with participating in the activity of an extremist organization. In February 2024, the case went to court. Three months later, the women were given suspended sentences ranging from 2 to 3 years. The court of appeal granted the appeal of the prosecutor’s office, reclassifying the actions of Kishta Tutinova from Part 2 to Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the RF CrC and giving her a 4-year suspended sentence with a 3-year probation period and restriction of freedom for 1 year. Menkova and Khalgayeva were sentenced to an additional restriction of freedom for 6 months.
Timeline

Persons in case

Criminal case

Region:
Kalmykia
Locality:
Elista
Suspected of:
"conducts religious meetings and directly participates in them by means of online conferences, and also promotes the activity of this organization by involving residents of the region in it"
Court case number:
12307850001000001
Initiated:
February 16, 2023
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
FSB Directorate for the Republic of Kalmykia
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)
Court case number:
1-112/2024
Court of First Instance:
Elista City Court
Judge of the Court of First Instance:
Aleksey Polevshchikov
Case History
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