NEW SEARCHES AND INTERROGATIONS OF PEACEFUL CHRISTIANS IN NOVOSIBIRSK
Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 6 August 2019
In the morning of 29 July 2019, in Novosibirsk there occurred another wave of police raids in apartments of believers. The next to become victims were Igor Muraviev, Anton Shakhmatov, Oleg Epifanov, Sergei Kozliuk, and Alexander Serikov. The investigation suspects them of professing the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. Personal property was seized.
At around 8:00 in the morning of 29 July, a search began in the apartment of 54-year-old Igor Muraviev. At the time, he himself was at work. His wife managed to contact her husband and to describe what was happening, but shortly the connection with him was lost. Later it was learned that Igor Muraviev had been taken to the police station for interrogation.
Information arrived on the same day about another two searches conducted in homes of Anton Shakhmatov and Oleg Epifanov. They also were taken to the local police department for interrogation. There is information about searches in the apartments of Sergei Kozliuk and Alexander Sernikov. Details are being clarified.
In Novosibirsk, criminal cases for faith have been opened against another six persons. One of them, Yury Saveliev, has already been behind bars more than six months. Believers maintain that they have nothing to do with extremism. (tr. by PDS, posted 6 August 2019)
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