New Searches and Detentions in Khakassia. Three Sent to Pretrial Detention Center

On January 26, 2026, searches were carried out in the homes of believers in the village of Mayna. Less than 6 months ago, raids and detentions had already taken place there.

FSB officers went to the workplace of a 40-year-old local resident at the end of his night shift. He was taken to his home, where a search was conducted. The believer became ill, and an ambulance had to be called. The FSB officers conducted themselves harshly. They did not provide a copy of the documents.

Another believer, a 47-year-old man, left home early in the morning to take his mother-in-law to the hospital. On the way to the garage, he was detained and taken back home for a search. His mobile phone was seized.

FSB officers went to the home of a third believer, a 53-year-old local resident, when he and his family were arranging the funeral of his son-in-law, who had died suddenly. In a rough manner, the law enforcement officers demanded that they unlock their phones.

All three men were later taken for interrogation and placed in a temporary detention facility in Abakan. On January 27, the court imposed pretrial detention on them.

Altogether, 15 Jehovah's Witnesses in Khakassia have already faced criminal prosecution. One of them, Irina Sidorova, died during the prosecution, without having managed to clear her name. Another believer, Roman Baranovskiy, is serving a 6-year term in a penal colony.