Mass searches and interrogations in Omsk. A Criminal Case for Faith Initiated, Two People Detained

On March 4, 2024, searches were carried out in the homes of believers in Omsk. At least 10 people, most of them women, were taken to the investigative committee for interrogations. Leonid Pyzhov and Sergey Rygayev were placed to a temporary detention facility, and then to a pre-trial detention center. A criminal case was opened against them under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("organization of the activities of an extremist organization").

The search of the Rygaevs' home began around 7:00 a.m. and lasted approximately 5 hours. The security forces met the head of the family on the street. According to Sergey's relatives, during the arrest he was knocked to the ground, he was hit several times, forcing him to unlock his phone. All electronic devices and 3 copies of the Bible were seized from the spouses.

A 64-year-old woman also suffered from the searches. During the interrogation, she was asked what religion she belonged to and how the services were held.

The criminal case against Pyzhov and Rygaev was initiated on February 29, 2024 by investigator Mariya Volkova, who petitioned for searches in the homes of believers. The search warrant was issued by the judge of the Kuibyshevsky District Court of the city of Omsk, Yulia Gerstner.

On March 5, the court ruled to place Leonid Pyzhov and Sergey Rygaev in a pre-trial detention center.

Earlier in the Omsk Region, [five Jehovah's Witnesses](https://jw-russia.org/en/prisoners.html#layout=people®ion=omsk) became defendants in criminal cases, four of them received various sentences and served their main sentences.