Actions of Law Enforcement Officers
Five Defendants, Three in Detention. Recent Raid in Khakassia Affected Elderly Jehovah’s Witnesses
KhakassiaOn October 23, 2025, a search was conducted at the home of Andrey Privalov, 48, and his wife in the town of Abaza (Republic of Khakassia). Since their house had been damaged by fire earlier, they were temporarily staying with relatives. The search was carried out at their place as well.
According to preliminary information, the investigative actions were conducted by the investigative body that previously organized the searches in the settlements of Mayna and Sizaya. Electronic devices, several copies of the Bible, and personal notes were seized from the Privalovs.
Andrey Privalov was detained and placed in a temporary detention facility at the police station in the town of Uyar.
Update.
Investigative actions have affected five believers, three of whom are currently in pre-trial detention: the previously mentioned Andrey Privalov, as well as Aflatun Safarov, 62, and Viktor Kononov, 60. In addition, two women aged 77 and 69 — Amaliya Malchugova and Tatyana Barakhtenko — have also been subjected to persecution. They have been placed under a written undertaking not to leave. A criminal case against the believers has been initiated under three parts of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code. The case is being handled by A. A. Tkachenko, an investigator with the Uyar Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia.