JULY 26, 2022 | UPDATED: DECEMBER 6, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHERS AND SISTER CONVICTED | Enduring With Courage and Joy

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On December 5, 2023, the Surgut City Court of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area—Yugra convicted 17 brothers and one sister. Among them are Brothers Vasiliy Burenesku, Viktor Fefilov, Igor Kobotov, Igor Petrov, Leonid Rysikov, Igor Trifonov, and Brother Pavel Romashov and his wife, Sister Viola Shepel. a The 17 brothers received suspended prison sentences ranging from six years and three months to seven years. Sister Shepel received a suspended prison sentence of three years and three months. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

Time Line

February 15, 2019

Police officers searched numerous homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Surgut and in nearby cities. Seven brothers reported being tortured during the interrogation. Three brothers were placed in pretrial detention and another brother was later ordered to enter a psychiatric hospital
October 3, 2019

Viktor, Igor Kobotov, Igor Petrov, Leonid, Igor Trifonov, Pavel, and Viola were added to the list of extremists
October 10, 2019

Vasiliy was added to the list of extremists
July 23, 2020

Igor Petrov’s home was searched a second time, and more personal effects were confiscated
October 29, 2021

Criminal trial began

Profiles

Pavel Romashov

Born: 1974 (Tomsk, Tomsk Region)

Biography: Raised by a single mother. Works in building maintenance for an oil and gas company. Married Viola in 2003. They have one daughter

Pavel and Viola studied the Bible together with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Pavel noticed the positive effect Bible truths had on his family. He was deeply affected by the loving and friendly atmosphere in the congregation. Baptized with Viola in 2004

Personal Comments

What helped you to remain calm during the search of your home?

I had worked for the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a transport guard for nearly five years prior to becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, so I was very familiar with things like searches, interrogations, and criminal cases.

But it did not matter how many times I had gone over this scenario in my mind or imagined how I was going to behave; when men in masks began banging on my door, I just could not believe it was actually happening. At that moment, . . . I prayed for two things: not to panic and to be able to show love to those people. After all, they were merely doing their job, and they do not know the truth.

Viola Shepel b

Born: 1976 (Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan)

Biography: Works as a nurse in a pediatric unit. Married Pavel in 2003. They have one daughter

Viola and Pavel studied the Bible together with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Viola appreciated the Bible’s sensible answers to questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, and how to get along with other people. Baptized with Pavel in 2004

Personal Comments

How has Jehovah supported you?

I have struggled with depression for many years. When I start feeling that way, the first thing I do is turn to Jehovah in prayer because I know that I cannot cope with those feelings on my own. Then I call my dear sisters and ask them how they are doing. They all have a lot of problems they themselves are dealing with, so perhaps one of them needs my help. Or sometimes they just need to chat. By talking with them, I gradually begin to feel better. It always helps me to recognize that I am not alone and that I am a part of a large family.

We are convinced that whatever ‘tribulation, distress, persecution, or danger’ our brothers and sisters experience, with Jehovah’s love and support they will be “completely victorious.”—Romans 8:35, 37.

a b Retained her maiden name after marriage.

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