Mass Searches in Kemerovo. One Believer Placed in Pretrial Detention Center

On May 20, 2026, searches and interrogations took place in Kemerovo, affecting 17 believers. Kirill Tarasov, 27, was detained and sent to a pretrial detention center. Law enforcement officers forced their way into his apartment by smashing a window with a hammer.

A criminal case against Tarasov was initiated on May 14. Ye. V. Yakovtseva, senior investigator of the Investigative Committee for the Tsentralnyy District of Kemerovo, suspects him of organizing the activity of an extremist organization (Article 282.2 (1) of the RF CrC).

At about 6:15 a.m., Kirill's wife, Anastasiya, woke up to the sound of breaking glass. Kirill was in the bathroom at the time. When he came out, the officers ordered him to lie on the floor. The believer cut himself on the shards; they immediately helped him up and bandaged the wound. Otherwise, the search proceeded calmly, and the officers behaved politely.

That same day, officers also went to Kirill's mother, Galina Tarasova. The stress caused her blood pressure to spike. Galina and Anastasiya were interrogated at the Investigative Committee. The latter is a witness in the case against her husband, so she was not allowed to attend the hearing regarding a preventive measure against him.

The homes of women aged 79, 78, and 74 were also searched. One of them had her blood pressure rise to 200/107 due to the stress, yet she was still taken for questioning, like the others, but she was allowed to measure her blood pressure and take her medication.

Among those affected were families with minor children. In one instance, law enforcement officers took the phone and computer of a girl who is homeschooled. Elsewhere, the officers' actions frightened a child. According to the parents, throughout the search the boy was afraid to get out of bed and hid under a blanket. He has a heart condition and frequent headaches.

The home of the Bondarchuks was also searched and they were interrogated. Aleksandr has previously been convicted for his faith.

During the searches, officers seized electronic devices, various translations of the Bible, personal notes, greeting cards, and photographs.

Another 20 Jehovah's Witnesses in the Kemerovo Region are already facing criminal prosecution for their faith.