Large‑Scale Sweep in the Trans‑Baikal Territory — Searches Affected at Least 30 People

A raid targeting Jehovah's Witnesses from Chita and several other localities in the Trans‑Baikal Territory took place on March 19, 2026. At least ten people have become defendants in a new criminal case.

The investigation is being conducted by Senior Investigator S. Urbazaev of the Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Trans‑Baikal Territory. Five people are suspected of organizing the activities of an extremist organization (Part 1, Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code), and another five are suspected of participating in it (Part 2, Article 282.2).

According to available information, one believer — Anatoliy Pozdnyakov, 67, — has been placed under house arrest, while three others — Vitaliy Astakhov, Svetlana Arefyeva, and Olga Beznosenko — have been required to sign an undertaking not to leave.

Jehovah's Witnesses in Chita have been subjected to criminal prosecution for six years. The first raid took place in February 2020 and resulted in real prison sentences for three people.