In Kerch Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses Were Searched. A New Criminal Case for Faith Was Initiated

In the early morning of October 9, 2024, law enforcement officers searched at least ten addresses of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kerch (Crimea). A criminal case was initiated against Vitaliy Burik, 53, for organizing the activity of an extremist organization. After 2 days in a temporary detention facility, he was placed under house arrest.

Burik was detained at his workplace in the boiler house. The law enforcement officers broke into the premises, cutting the thick chain on the gate, and took the believer home for the search. In addition, they searched the apartment and two garages belonging to Burik's relatives.

The law enforcement officers also searched the home of Artem Shabliy, who had previously been convicted under an article for extremism because he is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Other families raided by law enforcement officers this morning, have also been searched in the past because of their religion.

The raid on the houses of believers was carried out by investigators of the local department of the Investigative Committee, accompanied by armed special forces from Simferopol. In some cases, the law enforcement officers behaved rudely and demanded passwords for electronic devices. Digital equipment was seized from the believers, then they were taken for interrogation. After 4 p.m., everyone except Vitaliy Burik was released.

The criminal case against the believer under Article 282.2(1) of the RF CrC is being conducted by the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Crimea. The search warrant was issued by the Kievskiy District Court of Simferopol.