SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
RUSSIA

UPDATE—APPEAL DENIED | Six Sisters and One Brother Rely on Jehovah and Fellow Believers During Court Case

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On September 26, 2022, the Primorye Territory Court denied the appeal of Sisters Nadezhda Anoykina, Lyubov Galaktionova, Nailya Kogay, Nina Purge, Raisa Usanova, and Brother Valentin Osadchuk. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

On June 1, 2022, the Leninskiy District Court of Vladivostok convicted Nadezhda, Lyubov, Nailya, Nina, Raisa, and Valentin. The sisters each received suspended prison sentences of two years. Valentin received a suspended prison sentence of six years. The case against 87-year-old Sister Yelena Zayshchuk is currently suspended because she is seriously ill.

Time Line

January 19, 2021

The criminal case was transferred to the Leninskiy District Court of Vladivostok
November 12, 2019

The criminal case was returned to the prosecutor’s office
April 5, 2019

After spending 274 days in a pretrial detention center, Valentin, the only brother involved in this case, was released. He was placed under house arrest
April 19, 2018

Federal Security Service (FSB) officers searched the homes of the seven Witnesses
April 9, 2018

The Investigation Department of the FSB for the Primorsky Territory initiated a criminal case against Valentin and the six sisters

Profiles

Nina Purge

Born: 1940 (Pesok, Pskov Region)

Biography: Has one younger brother. Grew up during World War II. In 1942, her village was occupied by German soldiers. The family narrowly escaped being executed by the Nazis

Married her husband while he was studying at the Estonian Maritime Academy. They have two children. The family moved to Vladivostok, where her husband was assigned

In the late 1990’s, began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Learned that she can always depend on God for help. Baptized in 1999

Personal Comments

How has your relationship with Jehovah grown through this experience?

I began to have greater trust in Jehovah. I asked for strength to endure to the end and remain loyal. And Isaiah 41:13 has helped me be courageous, as I have felt my [heavenly] Father’s hand. I am ready for any outcome.

Raisa Usanova

Born: 1947 (Kuznetsovo)

Biography: Grew up with three brothers and one sister. After secondary school, moved to Vladivostok for training to become a railway technician. Got married and raised two daughters. Worked for 25 years as a trolleybus driver. Now retired

In 2000, after losing her mother, her sister, and one of her brothers, she began wondering why people die and if there was a hope for the dead. Found logical, convincing answers to her questions from studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Baptized in 2002

Personal Comments

What have you learned during this trial that will prepare you for trials to come?

I have learned self-control, particularly in regard to my speech, as well as endurance and the ability to rely on Jehovah. I began to increase my intake of spiritual nourishment. . . . I want to remain faithful to the end.

How are you preparing for possible persecution?

[I’m trying to] meditate more on verses that the spirit will ‘bring back’ to my mind later at just the right time.—John 14:26.

We continue to be encouraged by the examples of our dear brothers and sisters in Russia. They are proving to be the sort who have life-preserving faith.—Hebrews 10:39.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—APPEAL DENIED | Six Sisters and One Brother Rely on Jehovah and Fellow Believers During Court Case

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Profiles

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