A resident of Birobidzhan was detained on May 17, 2018 after a search for suspicion of organizing activities of an extremist organization connected with involvement in the Jehovah's Witness community. Representatives of this community were persecuted under extremist articles for religious activities such as meetings, joint worship and attracting new supporters. The man was arrested on May 18 and released on bail on May 25 after the court of appeal found significant violations in the criminal procedure law regarding the choice of a preventive measure in the form of detention in its decision to arrest him. On December 19, 2022 he was sentenced to 6 and a half years in a general regime penal colony.