Criminal Case for Faith Has Been Initiated in Vladikavkaz. Law Enforcement Officers Inspected the Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses

In the early morning of January 23, 2025, in Vladikavkaz and the village of Nogir (Republic of North Ossetia—Alania), representatives of the intelligence services inspected the homes of three families of Jehovah's Witnesses. A criminal case has been initiated.

At about 6 a.m., 15 people arrived at the apartment of one of the believers. The senior investigator leading the inspection of the home explained that the reason was that the family belonged to the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Electronic equipment and a Bible were confiscated from the family. After interrogations, the believers were released.

As part of the criminal case, the home of another family from Vladikavkaz was inspected. The investigative actions lasted about 10 hours and were carried out by 10 people, 4 of whom were armed. The law enforcement officers behaved appropriately, allowed the family to have breakfast, and carefully returned things to their place.

At the home of a family of Jehovah's Witnesses in the village of Nogir, law enforcement officers inspected not only the house, but also the car, vegetable garden and place of work. The law enforcement officers acted respectfully. The believer's blood pressure rose due to the stress.

In 2022, some believers from Vladikavkaz already faced detention and interrogation on similar charges.