Searches in the Kuril Islands. A Criminal Case Initiated Against Two Women for Their Faith

On November 23, 2023, on Iturup Island security forces searched the homes of two women who profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. From Olga Kalinnikova, 47, and Larisa Potapova, 59, a written undertaking not to leave was taken.

A three-hour search took place in the apartment of Olga Kalinnikova, who lives with her minor daughter in the city of Kurilsk. Operational actions were led by the investigator of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Sakhalin Region K. P. Deshko. Electronic devices, various data storage devices, notebooks and personal records were seized from Kalinnikova. According to her, law enforcement officers spoke rudely about the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

On the same day, at about 9 a.m., representatives of the border service of the FSB of Russia with two witnesses came to Larisa Potapova, who lives in the village of Reidovo. The security forces seized the Bible and other books, as well as video discs. The believer’s elderly mother who is 87, felt badly as her blood pressure rose sharply due to strong stress. After the search, Larisa was interrogated in the investigator's office.

The Korsakov Interdistrict Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case against Olga Kalinnikova and Larisa Potapova yet on October 12, 2023. Investigators suspect the women of "extremist activity," by which they mean conversations with local residents about God.

On Sakhalin, this is the fourth criminal case for believing in God Jehovah.