The Chirikova Case in Novosibirsk

In the evening, when 60-year-old Olga Chirikova is at a cafe with a friend, armed officers burst in. They order them to stay put and confiscate their phones. The women are then brought to Olga's home, where a search takes place.

In the apartment are Olga's daughter with guests and about 15 officers from the OMON and Ministry of Internal Affairs. Law enforcement officers seize Bibles, personal notes, phones, tablets, as well as Chirikova's passport. Three of those present, including Olga, suddenly feel unwell. The believers repeatedly ask for an ambulance, which arrives only after 2 hours. One of those present is hospitalized.

Around 10:00 p.m., 12 people are taken for interrogation. Olga is interrogated at home.

Yevgeniy Selyunin, investigator of the Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Novosibirsk Region, initiates a criminal case against Chirikova for participating in the activity of an extremist organization. The materials for this case were separated from the case against Maletskov and Chaplykina.

Investigator Yevgeniy Selyunin issues a ruling to charge Chirikova. According to the investigation, from August 2017 to April 2019, she “systematically participated in religious meetings of followers of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses,” and “introduced a person who participated in operational-investigative measures to the teachings.”

Chirikova appears before Investigator Georgiy Golovachev in response to an FSB summons. Instead of an interrogation, he has an informal conversation with her. During the conversation, Investigator Selyunin enters and threatens her with severe punishment.