UN Working Group on Arbitrary DetentionConfirmed
UN Working Group Finds Detention of 26 Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia Arbitrary, Calls for Immediate Release
Opinion No. 30/2026 finds the detentions arbitrary under categories I, II and V and recommends release plus compensation. Russia responded nine days after the deadline, citing the extremism designation; the panel could not accept the reply as timely. The opinion is not binding, and the Working Group made no finding of torture or unfair trial.