On October 23, 2020, a the Oktyabrsky District Court of Kirov is scheduled to announce its verdict in the case involving Brother Anatoliy Tokarev. He is facing three and a half years in prison.

Anatoliy Tokarev

• Born: 1958 (Baranovskaya, Kirov Region)

• Biography: Raised by his mother. Worked as a software engineer before retirement. Loves photography and enjoys playing chess and the accordion. Married his wife, Margarita, in 1979. They have two children

• His background in science led him to become a staunch atheist. At age 27, began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and realized that Christian beliefs are not at odds with science

On May 24, 2019, officers from Russia’s Center for Countering Extremism raided the Tokarevs’ apartment. The officers singled out Brother Tokarev. They threatened to prosecute Brother Tokarev’s family if he did not admit to “extremist” activity. Brother Tokarev was then taken to the department of investigation for questioning.

Almost five months later, Brother Tokarev was criminally charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. He is accused of financing an “extremist” organization. The prosecution is also using secret audio recordings from the Tokarevs’ apartment to claim that Anatoliy organized meetings where banned “extremist” literature was studied.

Our prayers are with Brother Tokarev and his family. We are confident that Jehovah will continue to “act in loyalty” toward them.—Psalm 18:25.