On October 6, 2022, the Nakhimovskiy District Court of Sevastopol convicted Brothers Vladimir Maladyka, Vladimir Sakada, and Yevgeniy Zhukov. They were each sentenced to six years in prison. Their sentences began immediately.

1. October 1, 2020

   FSB agents raided the homes of nine families of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sevastopol, including those of the Maladyka, Sakada, and Zhukov families. During the search of the Maladyka residence, agents found a packet of powdered milk. Claiming that the contents resembled a “narcotic drug,” authorities sent Brother Maladyka and his wife, Nataliya, to a psychiatric facility for examination. Nataliya was released later that day. Brother Maladyka, as well as Brothers Sakada and Zhukov, were placed in temporary detention. They were transferred to a pretrial detention center the following day

2. March 23, 2021

   Brother Sakada was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest. He was fitted with a tracking device and ordered not to use the Internet, make telephone calls, or communicate with the other brothers involved in the case

3. March 30, 2021

   Brother Maladyka was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest

4. May 17, 2021

   Brother Zhukov was released from pretrial detention after more than seven months and placed under house arrest

5. September 30, 2021

   The criminal trial began

We are confident that Jehovah will make firm the hearts of these brothers and all those facing persecution in Crimea.—1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13.