New Searches and Detentions in Khakassia. Three Thrown Behind Bars

On January 26, 2026, searches were carried out at the homes of believers in the urban-type settlement of Mayna. Less than six months ago, raids and detentions had already taken place there.

FSB officers came to the workplace of a 40-year-old local resident at the end of his night shift. He was taken home, where a search was conducted. The believer felt unwell, and an ambulance had to be called. The FSB officers behaved harshly. They provided no copies of the documents.

Another believer, a 47-year-old man, left home early in the morning to take his mother-in-law to the hospital. On the way to the garage, he was detained and taken back home for a search. His mobile phone was seized.

FSB officers came to a third believer, a 53-year-old local resident, when he and his family were arranging the funeral of his son-in-law, who had died suddenly. In a rough manner, the security forces demanded that the phones be unlocked.

All three men were later taken for interrogation and placed in the Abakan temporary detention facility. On January 27, the court ordered that they be held in custody.

Altogether, 15 Jehovah's Witnesses in Khakassia have already faced criminal prosecution. One of them, Irina Sidorova, died during the persecution, before she could restore her good name. Another believer, Roman Baranovskiy, is serving a six-year term in a colony.