Six rescued from slavery in Ramenskoye; five charged with illegal detention
In short
Six men were rescued from slavery at a property in Ramenskoye, in the Moscow region, where investigators say they were held and forced to carry out construction work. Five local residents face charges of illegal deprivation of liberty by a group using weapons, according to the Investigative Committee. Four of the accused were placed in custody and one under house arrest, Vedomosti reported.
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Six men have been rescued from slavery at a property in Ramenskoye, in the Moscow region, RIA Novosti, TASS and Vedomosti reported. Vedomosti, citing Russia's Investigative Committee, said five local residents have been charged under part 2 of article 127 of the Criminal Code — illegal deprivation of liberty by a group by prior conspiracy, with the use of weapons. RIA Novosti said a criminal case has been opened. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the Investigative Committee, the men were held from 10 to 22 July 2026 on the territory of a property in the Ramenskoye urban district so that the suspects could obtain money from construction work the men carried out. TASS reported that threats and physical violence were used against the victims, while Vedomosti, citing the committee, said weapons were also shown to them. The committee said the suspects mainly looked for people in a difficult life situation or leading an asocial lifestyle, and that the men were freed during a raid after law enforcement learned what was happening. [ 2 , 3 ]
Of the five accused, four were given a pre-trial measure of detention and one was placed under house arrest, Vedomosti reported, citing the committee. Investigators carried out about 15 interrogations and confrontations and ordered forensic medical and psychiatric examinations, according to the same report. Vedomosti also noted that cases over the use of slave labour have been opened in the Moscow region before: in May 2024, police in Balashikha detained a woman suspected of illegally holding five men and a woman. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The case is a regional criminal investigation reported by state and business media, and Vedomosti notes that Moscow-region authorities have opened similar cases before — in May 2024 in Balashikha. Beyond the local law-enforcement response and that precedent, the documents give no basis for broader significance.
Key facts
- Six men were rescued from slavery in Ramenskoye, in the Moscow region, according to RIA Novosti, TASS and Vedomosti. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Five local residents were charged under part 2 of article 127 of Russia's Criminal Code — illegal deprivation of liberty by a group by prior conspiracy, with the use of weapons — the Investigative Committee said. [ 3 ]
- Investigators say the men were held from 10 to 22 July 2026 at a property in the Ramenskoye urban district so the suspects could obtain money from construction work the men performed. [ 3 ]
- The victims were threatened, subjected to physical violence and shown weapons, according to the Investigative Committee. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Four of the accused were remanded in custody and one was placed under house arrest. [ 3 ]
- Investigators conducted about 15 interrogations and confrontations and ordered forensic medical and psychiatric examinations. [ 3 ]
- The Investigative Committee said the suspects mainly sought out people in a difficult life situation or leading an asocial lifestyle. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The identities of the six men and of the five accused. None of the documents name or describe the individuals involved.
- The date of the raid in which the men were freed. The documents say only that they were freed during a raid after law enforcement learned of the situation.
- Whether any charges beyond illegal deprivation of liberty, such as the use of slave labour, are being pursued. The documents mention only article 127 of the Criminal Code.
- The health and current situation of the victims. The documents mention ordered medical and psychiatric examinations but give no information on their condition.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that six people were rescued from slavery in the Moscow region and that a criminal case has been opened. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports the rescue in Ramenskoye and says threats and physical violence were used against the victims. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports that five local residents have been charged, citing the Investigative Committee. [ 3 ]