Actions of Law Enforcement Officers

Searches and Interrogations of Female Believers in Nizhny Novgorod. Criminal Case Initiated

Nizhegorod Region

On February 13, 2026, in Nizhny Novgorod, law enforcement officers conducted searches at the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses and interrogated four women. One of them is unable to walk on her own, and her daughter had to take her to the Investigative Committee in a wheelchair. During the interrogation, the elderly woman learned that she had been under surveillance since 2023.

The investigative actions were carried out as part of a criminal case initiated on February 9, 2026, against Lidiya Starostina, a 70‑year‑old believer. During the searches, electronic devices were seized, and in one instance even a Wi‑Fi router. The women were interrogated at the Investigative Committee office and then released.

In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 25 Jehovah's Witnesses have already faced criminal prosecution, including 4 married couples.

The Case of Starostina in Nizhniy Novgorod

Timeline

Persons in case

Starostina
Lidiya

Criminal case

Region:
Nizhegorod Region
Locality:
Nizhniy Novgorod
Suspected of:
“Acting with direct criminal intent... participated in the activities of... expressed in the holding of general meetings of members of a banned religious association... using video conferencing in an unidentified room” (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12602220100000052
Initiated:
February 9, 2026
Current case stage:
preliminary investigation
Investigating:
Investigative Department for the Avtozavodskiy District of Nizhniy Novgorod of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Nizhegorod Region
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Case History

The Case of Tokareva in Nizhniy Novgorod

Case History
In February 2026, several female believers in Nizhny Novgorod were subjected to searches. Among them was Galina Tokareva. The local Investigative Committee suspected the pensioner of extremism because she took part in peaceful Jehovah’s Witness worship services and opened a criminal case against her.
Timeline

Persons in case

Tokareva
Galina

Criminal case

Region:
Nizhegorod Region
Locality:
Nizhny Novgorod
Suspected of:
“No later than 01 December 2023… [she] joined the activities of the extremist religious organization ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ by systematically attending [worship services]… including through the use of videoconferencing” (from the decision to open a criminal case)
Court case number:
12602220100000051
Initiated:
February 9, 2026
Current case stage:
preliminary investigation
Investigating:
Investigative Department for the Avtozavodskiy District of Nizhny Novgorod of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Case History
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