Homes of Believers Searched in Vladivostok. One Beaten, Another Arrested

On December 7, 2023, searches were carried out in Vladivostok at addresses of believers, at least five, including the home of an elderly man. A believer, 19, was detained and placed in a pretrial detention center for 2 months, while another man was beaten by security forces.

Demanding he gives the password from his phone, the man was hit several times with a rubber truncheon. Later, he went to ER, where he was diagnosed with bruising on his internal organs. He reqires treatment.

During interrogation by the Investigative Committee, the believers were asked questions about their religious beliefs, as well as about their participation in meetings for worship of Jehovah's Witnesses. Also demands were made to incriminate fellow believers.

The searches and interrogations took place as part of the criminal case of Yuriy Byche and others in Vladivostok.

Apart from the victims of the December 7 search, another 26 Jehovah's Witnesses are being prosecuted in Vladivostok for their faith; six of whom have already been convicted.