Russian federal agents raid the Church of Scientology in St. Petersburg

Federal Security Service agents raided the office of the Church of Scientology in St. Petersburg on Thursday, according to the local news outlet Fontanka, citing sources in the city’s police department. The specific reasons for the search are still unclear.

Five leaders of the Church of Scientology in St. Petersburg have been under criminal investigation since June 2017 on charges of illegally operating a business, creating an extremist society, and inciting hatred. So far, however, the case has yet to come before a judge.