Case of Knyazev and Others in Izhevsk

Case History

In June 2024, an investigator of the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against three of Jehovah’s Witnesses from Izhevsk, including 73-year-old pensioner Indus Talipov. A day later, searches were conducted in the apartments of the believers. After interrogation, they were charged with organizing extremist activities. The investigation considered it a crime to hold peaceful worship services and read the Holy Scriptures via the Internet. The court sent Aleksandr Stefanidin to a pre-trial detention center, and banned Valeriy Knyazev and Indus Talipov from certain actions.
Timeline

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    June 3, 2024 Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1)

    Investigator for especially important cases of the First Department for Investigation of Especially Important Cases of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Udmurt Republic, Major of Justice Artur Selin, initiates a criminal case against Indus Talipov, Valery Knyazev and Aleksandr Stefanidin for organizing extremist activities.

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    June 4, 2024 Search Case initiated Art. 282.2 (1) Detention center Prohibition of certain actions Prosecution of several family members Elderly
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    June 5, 2024 Detention center Prohibition of certain actions Elderly

    Judge of the Industrial District Court of Izhevsk Aleksandr Shishkin chooses a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions against Indus Talipov and Valeriy Knyazev, and sends Alexander Stefanidin to a pre-trial detention center.