Mass searches and interrogations in Omsk. A Criminal Case Initiated for Faith, 2 People Detained

On March 4, 2024, searches were carried out in the homes of believers in Omsk. At least 10 people, most of them women, were taken to the investigative committee for interrogations. Leonid Pyzhov and Sergey Rygayev were placed in a temporary detention facility, and then in a pretrial detention center. A criminal case was initiated against them under Article 282.2(1) of the RF Criminal Code ("organizing the activity of an extremist organization").

The search at the home of the Rygaevs began around 7:00 a.m. and lasted approximately 5 hours. The security forces met the head of the family on the street. According to Sergey's friends, during the arrest he was knocked to the ground, hit several times, forcing him to unlock his phone. All electronic devices and 3 copies of the Bible were seized from the couple.

A 64-year-old woman also suffered from the searches. During the interrogation, she was asked what religion she belonged to and how the meetings were conducted.

The criminal case against Pyzhov and Rygaev was initiated on February 29, 2024 by investigator Mariya Volkova, who filed for searches in the homes of believers. The search warrant was issued by Yulia Gerstner, judge of the Kuibyshevsky District Court of the city of Omsk.

On March 5, the court ruled to place Leonid Pyzhov and Sergey Rygaev in a pretrial detention center.

Earlier in the Omsk Region, 5 Jehovah's Witnesses became defendants in criminal cases, 4 of them received various terms and have already served their sentences.