AUGUST 18, 2022 | UPDATED: DECEMBER 19, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHER AND SISTER IMPRISONED | Faith in Jehovah Conquers Fear of Persecution

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On December 18, 2023, the Novosibirsk District Court of the Novosibirsk Region convicted Brother Valeriy Maletskov and Sister Marina Chaplykina. Valeriy was sentenced to six years in prison. Marina was sentenced to four years in prison. They were both immediately taken into custody from the courtroom.

Time Line

2018

A man who was studying the Bible and attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses prior to the ban began cooperating with FSB agents in Novosibirsk, collecting information about those attending meetings
April 19, 2019

Based on information provided by the informant, searches were conducted in six homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Novosibirsk. A criminal case was initiated against Valeriy Maletskov and Marina Chaplykina. Both were placed in temporary detention centers after being arrested
April 21, 2019

Both were released from temporary detention. Valeriy was placed under house arrest, and Marina Chaplykina was placed under travel restrictions
February 21, 2022

Valeriy was officially charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization. Marina Chaplykina was charged with financing and participating in the activities of an extremist organization
March 30, 2022

The criminal trial began

Profiles

Marina Chaplykina

Born: 1971 (Novosibirsk)

Biography: Works as a hairdresser. Raised a daughter as a single mother

After being contacted in the door-to-door ministry, began to study with Jehovah’s Witnesses after seeing God’s name in her Bible. Baptized in 2004

Personal Comments

How have you benefited by following theocratic direction?

As the situation in the country began to change, I recognized how critical it was that I pay careful attention to the direction provided by the brothers and apply it as quickly as possible. When the arrests and searches began in other parts of the country, I took note of what happened, what was seized, and how our brothers conducted themselves. That information helped me to prepare myself and my home for the events that were soon to follow.

How has prayer strengthened you?

When they arrested me, the first thing that came to mind was the example of Nehemiah. Like him, I said a brief prayer to Jehovah and asked him to give me peace in my heart. I was very calm as they took me home to conduct the search. I could see that these operatives were just people doing their job. My daughter, Nataliya, came home a little while later. The police officers noticed that she was not surprised at finding them searching our home. One of the officers asked my daughter why she was not afraid, to which another officer replied: “They were expecting us.” Right then I realized: ‘There is Jehovah’s answer to my prayer. Even others can see how calm we are.’

Valeriy Maletskov

Born: 1974 (Novosibirsk)

Biography: Has worked as a carpenter and as a groundskeeper

Was impressed with how Jehovah’s Witnesses were able to explain their beliefs using the Bible. Baptized in 1994

Married Marina in 2004. They have a son

Personal Comments

How have you and your family overcome the fear of persecution?

When we began to see the reports of our fellow believers being arrested and detained, we tried to imagine ourselves in their place. We wondered what they were feeling and thinking. In both my personal prayers as well as those said with my family, I often asked for the fear of persecution not to take root in our hearts. We saw many examples that demonstrated how persecution provides our brothers and sisters the opportunity to give a witness under new circumstances.

As a result of my own experience with persecution, I continue to draw closer to Jehovah, and I am starting to view those who are persecuting me the way Jehovah views them. Even though they might look scary, they are just people who need to hear the truth, and in this instance, they need to see the truth by means of my example as well.

The successful perseverance of those confronting persecution for their faith is evidence of Jehovah’s blessing and protection.—1 John 5:4.

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