JUNE 7, 2022 | UPDATED: APRIL 3, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCES | Reliance on Jehovah Helps Brothers Endure

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On March 31, 2023, the Babushkinskiy District Court of Moscow convicted Brothers Ivan Chaykovskiy, Yuriy Chernyshev, Vitaliy Komarov, Sergey Shatalov, and Vardan Zakaryan. Ivan, Yuriy, Vitaliy, and Sergey were each sentenced to six years and three months in prison. Vardan was sentenced to four years and three months in prison. They were taken into custody from the courtroom.

Time Line

November 24, 2020

Russian authorities conducted at least 20 raids at the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow. Officers took Ivan, Yuriy, Vitaliy, and Sergey to a temporary detention center and held them in isolation cells. Film crews were present during the search and the interrogation of Yuriy and his family. Footage was later broadcast on State television news channels
November 26, 2020

Sergey was released from temporary detention and placed under house arrest. Vardan, who had been hospitalized for injuries sustained during the search, was moved to a temporary detention center where he was placed in isolation
November 27, 2020

The court released Ivan, Yuriy, and Vitaliy from the temporary detention center and placed them under house arrest
November 30, 2020

Authorities released Vardan from detention and placed him under house arrest, after which he filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office regarding the use of unlawful force
February 16, 2022

The criminal trial began

Profiles

Vitaliy Komarov

Born: 1976 (Moscow)

Biography: Worked as a director at the Moscow office of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network. Enjoys beekeeping

Married Yelena in 1999. Fulfillment of prophecies convinced him of the Bible’s accuracy. Baptized in 2003

Personal Comments

What lessons have you learned during these trials?

Just before my detainment, I had rewatched the video Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life? I especially enjoyed the part where the older brother shared the lesson he had learned while in the concentration camp. He did not need a lot of things. With just his bowl and spoon, he could eat and survive. I learned how true that lesson was on the second day of my detainment. I had been in court all day and didn’t get back to my cell until 9:00 p.m., long after dinnertime. My cellmate gave me his mug so that I could at least ask the guards for some hot water to make some tea. I immediately recalled the video. At that moment, a cup of tea was more important than a car or a cell phone, things I had previously thought I could not do without.

Sergey Shatalov

Born: 1969 (Stavropol, Stavropol Territory)

Biography: Enjoyed playing chess, table tennis, and volleyball as a youth. Served in the navy, during which time he suffered an injury that left him disabled. Works as a courier

He and Yelena were married in 1995 and were baptized later that year

Personal Comments

What gives you confidence that Jehovah will help you continue to endure these trials?

I am confident that Jehovah God is hearing the prayers that the worldwide brotherhood is offering in my behalf. This confidence is based not only on Bible knowledge, but also on the joy and peace that I am personally experiencing.

What have you prayed for specifically, and how has this helped you?

I have constantly turned to God in prayer and asked him to make me as courageous as a lion. In this way, I would not be afraid of either man or any negative developments in my circumstances. I have also prayed for my brothers who are in prison, for their families, and for those who, despite not being in prison themselves, are at times facing situations that are just as challenging or distressing as my own.

We are encouraged to see that Jehovah draws close to our dear brothers and their families as a result of their continued efforts to draw close to him.—James 4:8.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCES | Reliance on Jehovah Helps Brothers Endure

Time Line

Profiles

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