Illustrative photo

Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

A sixth criminal case in the Amur Region. FSB searches 12 Belogorsk-based believers

Amur Region

On the morning of March 4, 2021, groups of security officials conducted searches at 6 addresses in the city of Belogorsk (Amur Region). 12 believers were taken to the local FSB department and later released. A criminal case has been opened for extremist activity on the basis of religion.

Operational groups arrived from the regional center of Blagoveshchensk, which is located 120 km from Belogorsk. The security forces entered the homes of citizens under the guise of district police officers or neighbors. In one place they introduced themselves as electricians - allegedly through the fault of believers, an accident occurred, and the house was de-energized. Students from local educational institutions were invited as witnesses. Electronic devices, Bibles in the Synodal translation, bank cards, postcards, letters and personal records with the name of Jehovah God were seized from 5 men and 7 women.

After the searches, the believers were taken to the local department of the FSB, where they were given copies of the protocols. Further investigative actions will take place in Blagoveshchensk. The criminal case was initiated by the investigator of the FSB Department for the Amur Region V.S. Obukhov, who since 2019 has been conducting 4 more similar cases against 11 peaceful believers from Zeya, Tynda and Blagoveshchensk.