FEBRUARY 1, 2023 | UPDATED: AUGUST 1, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHER CONVICTED | “It Is Not My Circumstances That Need to Change”

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On July 28, 2023, the Kovrovskiy City Court of the Vladimir Region convicted Brother Boris Simonenko and sentenced him to two years and seven months in prison. However, due to the time he spent in pretrial detention and under house arrest, his sentence is considered already served. He is not required to go to prison at this time.

Profile

Boris Simonenko

Born: 1955 (Ukraine)

Biography: Worked as a miner

Married Ida in 1978. They have one son, Aleksey

Ida began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. In time, Boris joined her after seeing the effect applying Bible principles had on their family life. Ida was baptized in 1996, Aleksey in 1998, and Boris in 2000

Personal Comments

Despite the many challenges you are facing, how are you able to maintain a positive attitude?

I recall hearing a talk at a regional convention that made a powerful impression on me. The brother said: “It is better to be in prison with God than outside of prison without God.” This helped me to realize that in order to be happy, it is not my circumstances that need to change but, rather, my attitude toward those circumstances. I keep those words stored away in my heart, and they strengthen me to keep on enduring. As it says at Psalm 27:13: “Where would I be if I did not have faith that I would see Jehovah’s goodness in the land of the living?” Although I have served Jehovah for more than 20 years, these recent circumstances have helped me to feel closer than ever to him.

We are confident that Boris and his family will continue to receive strength and joy as they remain close to Jehovah.—1 Chronicles 16:27.

Time Line

February 8, 2021

Authorities used recorded conversations obtained by wiretapping to initiate an official investigation
February 17, 2021

Home was searched. Interrogated and placed in temporary detention
February 18, 2021

Criminal case initiated. Charged with conducting meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses over the Internet. Placed in pretrial detention
July 13, 2021

Released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest
February 17, 2022

Released from house arrest and given travel restrictions
September 15, 2022

Criminal trial began

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHER CONVICTED | “It Is Not My Circumstances That Need to Change”

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Time Line

See Also

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia