JULY 8, 2022
RUSSIA

Finding Strength in Prayer

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The Pervomayskiy District Court of Izhevsk will soon announce its verdict in the case involving Brothers Sergey Ashikhmin, Maksim Derendyaev, and Aleksandr Kutin. The prosecutor has yet to request a potential sentence.

Time Line

April 14, 2021

At least 12 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses were searched by FSB agents. Sergey was interrogated for seven hours. Maksim and Aleksandr were detained and placed in jail
April 15, 2021

Maksim and Aleksandr were sent to a pretrial detention center
April 29, 2021

Aleksandr was released from pretrial detention
May 14, 2021

Aleksandr was placed under house arrest
July 9, 2021

Maksim was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest
March 14, 2022

Criminal trial began

Profiles

Aleksandr Kutin

Born: 1982 (Izhevsk)

Biography: Works as a welder

After learning about Jesus, was moved to follow his example. Baptized in 2002. Married Guzel in 2018

Personal Comments

How were you able to maintain joy while in pretrial detention?

In the detention center, all that I was used to was taken from me: my loved ones, the meetings, the Bible, even my routine. At home, I would wake up in the morning, make some tea or coffee, and then read and discuss a Bible verse with my wife. I never imagined that someone could take all of that away. But I realized the one thing that they could not take from me was prayer. When I prayed, I could sense that Jehovah was giving me holy spirit so that I could maintain my joy and not become discouraged.

I also had a number of opportunities to give a witness. . . . While in an eight-man cell, everyone there asked why I had been detained. I sat down and explained why. In that moment, Jehovah helped me feel calm and at peace. I silently offered thanks to God for this.

Our brothers are facing injustice with confidence in Jehovah, who promises: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”—Isaiah 43:5.

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