FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | UPDATED: OCTOBER 9, 2024
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHER FINED | “Commit Your Way to Jehovah”

PLAY

On October 7, 2024, the Shadrinskiy District Court of the Kurgan Region convicted Brother Aleksandr Lubin and fined him 500,000 rubles ($5,180 U.S.).

Profile

Aleksandr Lubin

Born: 1956 (Ogonek, Kurgan Region)

Biography: Worked as a safety engineer for an energy company before retirement

Married Tatyana in August 2001. They have two children

Tatyana began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. After she had a stroke, Aleksandr read the Bible to her and became interested. Aleksandr, Tatyana, and their two children were all baptized in 2003

Aleksandr suffers from advanced arthritis in both hips, forcing him to walk with a cane. He has also been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease

Personal Comments

What helped you to fight discouragement while you were in the pretrial detention center?

Being in the detention center was a real challenge. I was not allowed any medication to help with the severe pain from my arthritis. At first, I prayed to Jehovah and asked him to help me to be released as quickly as possible. Later, however, I instead began asking him to give me patience and a calm heart. I also prayed a lot for the other brothers and sisters who were in prison. I reminded myself, ‘This is only temporary.’ I then focused on the blessings Jehovah was giving me. Doing this helped me to remain joyful. Eventually, I was released from the detention center. Psalm 37:5 encouraged me: “Commit your way to Jehovah; rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.” I am convinced that Jehovah does not allow us to be tried beyond what we can bear. He will never fail to provide us with a way out of any situation as long as we trust and fully rely on him.

We are confident that, like Aleksandr, even when in great distress, we can endure faithfully as we rely on Jehovah’s support.—Isaiah 38:14.

Time Line

July 13, 2021

Criminal case initiated
July 14, 2021

Eight homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses searched. Aleksandr arrested, interrogated, and placed in a temporary detention facility
July 16, 2021

Transferred to a pretrial detention center
July 19, 2021

Appeal filed due to serious health condition
August 28, 2021

After a request from the European Court of Human Rights and human rights activists, Aleksandr released and placed under travel restrictions
July 14, 2023

Criminal trial began
September 7, 2023

Court hearing postponed due to Aleksandr being hospitalized

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHER FINED | “Commit Your Way to Jehovah”

Profile

Time Line

You May Also Like

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia