JANUARY 24, 2022 | UPDATED: DECEMBER 29, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHERS CONVICTED | Brothers Aleksandr Polozov and Stepan Shevelev Experience Rich Blessings Despite Persecution

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On December 29, 2023, the Norilsk City Court of the Krasnoyarsk Territory convicted Brothers Aleksandr Polozov and Stepan Shevelev. They each received a suspended prison sentence of six years. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

Time Line

October 20, 2019

Special forces surrounded a campsite in the city of Norilsk. More than 50 Witnesses were detained
October 26, 2019

Aleksandr arrested and placed in pretrial detention
January 21, 2020

Aleksandr released after nearly three months of detainment
February 19, 2020

Aleksandr was placed on a list of extremists and his bank accounts were blocked
May 6, 2021

Stepan was accused of “entering into a criminal conspiracy” with Aleksandr. Stepan’s alleged “crimes” included praying and preaching

Profiles

Aleksandr Polozov

Born: 1970 (Torzhok, Tver Region)

Biography: As a young man, interested in hockey and swimming. Worked in emergency rescue services. Married Svetlana in 1998. They enjoy riding bikes and traveling

Began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 1990’s. Baptized in 1995

Personal Comments

How did Jehovah sustain you while you were in the detention center?

After my first interrogation, I was taken to a cell. . . . My cellmate asked me why I was detained. I explained that I had been charged because of my faith in God. . . . He said: “Look under the table.” I looked, and there on a shelf were two Bibles. I could not believe my eyes! . . . From my very first day, I had a copy of God’s Word. I am grateful to Jehovah that he showed his support in such a remarkable way.

How have you benefited from the support of brothers and sisters?

There is no way to overstate the value of the support that the brothers and sisters provide. On the morning of one very cold day, the brothers greeted me with applause when I was being transported from the detention center to court. Then, at 6:00 p.m., they again applauded as I was being led back into the prison transport vehicle. For me, that was something very precious, and it gave a wonderful witness.

Stepan Shevelev

Born: 1982 (Maslyanino, Novosibirsk Region)

Biography: Works as a cable splicer. Married Oksana in 2013. They enjoy reading and traveling

In 1996, Stepan’s mother and sister began studying the Bible. Though neither of them accepted the truth, Stepan began to study and was impressed by the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Appreciated how the Bible changes people’s lives for the better. Baptized in 2001

Personal Comments

How has having a good spiritual routine helped you and your wife?

We really cherish our family worship. Many years ago, we picked a specific day for it, and we do not allow anything else to interfere with that time. Because of this, I am confident that my dear wife will be able to keep her faith alive. Additionally, I try to keep my daily Bible reading fresh. For example, one year I simply read the Bible from cover to cover. Next, I read it in chronological order. Then, I grouped the books by their writers, and so on. In this way, my Bible reading does not become routine, and I see familiar thoughts in a new light.

How has your attitude toward those persecuting you changed?

Jehovah is helping [me] to view [them] in the right way. My wife and I can clearly see that oftentimes these are just regular people who are simply doing their job. They are struggling with problems of their own and are in need of the refreshing hope we share.

We are confident that Jehovah will continue to support our dear brothers who faithfully ‘keep up the pursuit’ of righteousness despite persecution.—Judges 8:4.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHERS CONVICTED | Brothers Aleksandr Polozov and Stepan Shevelev Experience Rich Blessings Despite Persecution

Time Line

Profiles

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