DECEMBER 16, 2022 | UPDATED: JUNE 20, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHER IMPRISONED | Joyful Despite Ongoing Challenges

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On June 20, 2023, the Tsentralnyi District Court of Sochi convicted Brother Danil Suvorov and sentenced him to six years in prison. Danil has been in detention since August 18, 2021, and will remain in custody.

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Danil Suvorov a

Born: 1995 (Almetyevsk, Republic of Tatarstan)

Biography: Worked as a sales associate in a hardware store

Raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses by his mother. Baptized in 2011

Personal Comments From Danil’s Mother, Sister Gulnara Suvorova b

What is helping Danil to endure his detention?

While I have not been able to visit him, I do receive his letters. Danil always tells me not to worry about him, and he does not complain. Rather, he assures me that he feels Jehovah’s hand and support. Danil is very approachable and is well-known for being a good listener. He is able to show understanding to others as they face challenges. So I was encouraged to hear that he has made his prison cell his personal territory. He often has new ones to talk with as prisoners are transferred in and out of his cell. He also reads the Bible, prepares for meetings, and continues to make spiritual activities a priority.

What have you learned about Jehovah through this difficult experience?

Although Jehovah sees so much wickedness on the earth, he does not lose his joy. At 2 Chronicles 16:9, it states: “For the eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” So Jehovah is actively looking for ways he can help his servants. I know that if I too stay busy with spiritual things and stay focused on helping others in the congregation and in the ministry, it will keep me from giving in to discouragement.

We are encouraged to know that as we stay active spiritually and remain close to Jehovah, we can continue to be joyful no matter what challenges we face.—Psalm 16:11.

Time Line

August 13, 2021

Criminal case initiated based on testimony of a person cooperating with authorities who pretended to be interested in the Bible
August 18, 2021

Home searched. Arrested and placed in temporary detention
August 19, 2021

Transferred to pretrial detention
April 29, 2022

Officially charged with organizing, participating in, and recruiting others to join the activities of an extremist organization
June 10, 2022

Criminal trial began

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

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHER IMPRISONED | Joyful Despite Ongoing Challenges

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