Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

New Searches in Homes of Jehovah's Witnesses — This Time in and Around Armavir

Krasnodar Territory

In the early morning of November 19, 2025, a raid was carried out against local Jehovah's Witnesses in Armavir and the village of Konokovo. At least five people were interrogated and their homes were searched.

The criminal case was initiated by Vera Moskovaya, an investigator of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Two believers — Daniil Koval, 47, and Viktor Vikulyev, 35, — are suspected of organizing the activity of a liquidated organization (Article 282.2(1) of the RF CrC).

The number of Jehovah's Witnesses prosecuted in Kuban has reached 40. One of them, a retired police officer, Valeriy Baylo, died in prison due to his not being provided with medical care.

The Case of Vikulyev and Koval in Armavir

Case History
In November 2025, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnodar Territory initiated a criminal case against Viktor Vikulyev and Daniil Koval for “organizing the activities of an extremist organization.” On the same day, their houses were searched.
Timeline

Persons in case

Koval
Daniil
Vikulyev
Viktor

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnodar Territory
Locality:
Armavir
Suspected of:
"organized and participated in weekly meetings of the organization, including through conference calls" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12502030082000073
Initiated:
November 19, 2025
Current case stage:
preliminary investigation
Investigating:
Armavir Interdistrict Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Krasnodar Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (1)
Case History
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