SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 | UPDATED: JANUARY 2, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHER IMPRISONED | Finding Reasons to Be Joyful

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On December 28, 2022, the Oktyabrskiy District Court of Krasnoyarsk convicted Brother Aleksandr Filatov. He received a six-year prison sentence. He remains in custody.

Time Line

July 9, 2021

Criminal case initiated against Aleksandr. Accused of organizing the activities of an extremist organization
July 11, 2021

Home was searched
July 13, 2021

Detained and taken to Ministry of Internal Affairs
July 15, 2021

Sent to pretrial detention
January 20, 2022

Criminal trial began

Profile

Aleksandr Filatov

Born: 1984 (Sharypovo, Krasnoyarsk Territory)

Biography: Worked as an engineer and an electrician

His mother introduced him to the truth. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1994

Married Yelena in 2007. They have two sons

Personal Comments from Aleksandr’s wife, Yelena a

What helps Aleksandr cope while in pretrial detention?

Aleksandr keeps a journal of all the blessings he is experiencing. In it, he makes note of the reasons he has to be joyful. He tries to find the positive in challenges that arise. He also says that reading the Bible and prayer help him to maintain his balance.

I also try to support Aleksandr. When preparing to write to him, I look for something that might encourage him, such as my thoughts on specific Bible verses I’ve read or words of encouragement that brothers and sisters have shared with me.

Aleksandr’s example of faithfulness serves as a powerful reminder that Jehovah blesses those who serve him “with rejoicing and joy of heart.”—Deuteronomy 28:47.

a During the preparation of this article, Brother Filatov was in pretrial detention and it was not possible to obtain his personal comments.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHER IMPRISONED | Finding Reasons to Be Joyful

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