Searches of Jehovah's Witnesses Took Place in the Tver Region. Criminal Case Is Initiated Against Two Believers

On July 6, 2021, it became known about a new criminal case for faith, initiated in the city of Konakovo (Tver region) against Aleksandr Starikov, 61, and Sergey Naumenko, 34. At least 4 searches were carried out, one of them 370 kilometers from Konakovo, in Ivanovo. The case was initiated on June 17, 2021, and is being investigated by the FSB Directorate for the Tver Region.

Aleksandr Starikov has recently been living in Ivanovo, where he is caring for his sick father. At seven in the morning, FSB officers, accompanied by investigator Yerofeyev, raided their apartment with a search. The security forces also searched the believer’s garage and car. Investigative actions were carried out for a total of 8 hours. As a result, electronic devices, flash cards, bank cards, personal notes and the biographical book “Fighting the Lion” about the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany were seized. A recognizance not to leave was taken from Starikov. He is prohibited from leaving the city of Ivanovo.

At least one of the searches in Konakovo was authorized by Irina Vorozhebskaya, a judge of the Zavolzhsky District Court of Tver.

As it became known, Starikov and Naumenko are accused of discussing the Bible together with fellow believers from Konakovo via video conferencing using Zoom videoconferences, and also talking about Bible teachings to the residents of Konakovo district. The investigation interprets these actions as a crime under Part 1 of Art. 282.2 (organization of the activities of a religious association, in respect of which the court decided to liquidate).

The Tver region has become the 67th region of Russia where Jehovah's Witnesses are persecuted, although the world community unanimously condemns the actions of the Russian authorities against followers of this religion.