The Case of Petrovs in Talmenka

Case History

In February 2026, a series of searches was carried out in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city of Novoaltaysk, the settlement of Talmenka, and the village of Sannikovo (Altai Territory). Sergey Petrov was charged with participating in the activities of an extremist organization. The following day, a court placed the believer in custody. The charges were based on the testimony of a woman who pretended to be interested in the Bible and recorded her conversations with the believers.
Timeline

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    Case initiated Art. 282.2 (2) CC RF Elderly

    The Novoaltaisk Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Altai Territory initiates a criminal case against 63-year-old Sergey Petrov for participation in the activities of an extremist organization.

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    Interrogation Search Elderly Prosecution of several family members

    At about 4:00 a.m., Investigator Ye. V. Pertsova arrived at the home of the Petrov couple, accompanied by masked officers. Sergey was first forced to the floor and then allowed to stand up and get dressed. The believers' phones, laptops, bank cards, and medical records were seized. An FSB representative demanded that the phones be unlocked. After a 3-hour search, both were taken to the Closed Administrative Territorial Formation of Sibirsky for interrogation.

    During Raisa's interrogation, one of the officers asked the others to leave, twisted the woman's arms behind her back, handcuffed her, and shouted, making derogatory remarks about her.

    At about 4:00 p.m., Raisa was taken to the Investigative Committee in Talmenka. She was again required to provide the password to her phone, but she refused. The believer answered every question by invoking Article 51 of the RF Constitution.

    That evening, Raisa was released and allowed to go home; her husband Sergey was detained.

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    Art. 282.2 (2) CC RF

    Yelena Pertseva, senior investigator of the Novoaltaysk Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Altai Territory, charges Sergey Petrov under Article 282.2(2) of the RF CrC.

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    Detention center Elderly

    The court sends Sergey Petrov to a pretrial detention center.

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    Detention center Elderly Letters

    The believer is kept alone in a cell. He does not have all the necessary medication that he was taking daily, which affects his general well-being.

    Petrov has already received one parcel and several letters. He does not have a Bible yet.

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    Transfer of a prisoner

    Sergey Petrov is in pretrial detention center No. 1 for the Altai Territory.

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    Art. 282.2 (2) CC RF Prosecution of several family members Elderly

    Raisa Petrova was detained as part of the criminal case against her husband, Sergey Petrov. The investigation has charged Raisa under Article 282.2(2) of the RF CrC.

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    House arrest Art. 282.2 (2) CC RF Elderly Prosecution of several family members

    The Talmenksiy District Court denies the investigator's motion to remand Raisa Petrova in custody, taking into account the defendant's age, state of health, and permanent place of residence.

    The court imposes house arrest on the believer.

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