OCTOBER 1, 2021 | UPDATED: AUGUST 29, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHERS CONVICTED | Five Brothers Determined to Endure Despite Persecution

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On August 28, 2023, the Promyshlenniy District Court of Orenburg convicted Brothers Vladimir Kochnev, Vladislav Kolbanov, Pavel Lekontsev, Sergey Logunov, and Nikolay Zhugin. The brothers received suspended prison sentences of between two years and six months and three years and six months. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

Time Line

March 1, 2021

More than a year after the case was returned to the prosecutor’s office, hearings began in the Promyshlenniy District Court of Orenburg
January 14, 2020

The criminal case was returned to the prosecutor’s office due to the vague nature of the accusation
August 3, 2018

Vladimir was released from a pretrial detention center after 79 days and placed under house arrest
May 16, 2018

Authorities searched the homes of 19 families in the Orenburg Region. Vladimir and Vladislav were sent to a temporary detention facility. Vladislav was released to house arrest three days later
May 14, 2018

The Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Orenburg Region initiated a criminal case against all five brothers

Profiles

Vladimir Kochnev

Born: 1979 (Orenburg)

Biography: Enjoyed fishing and soccer as a child. Worked as a metalworker and a television and radio repairman. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1993. Married his wife, Galina, in 2003

Personal Comments

How has your relationship with Jehovah grown through this experience?

I can confidently say that the time I spent in the detention center was the very best period in my relationship with God. I learned to have greater trust in Jehovah because I was all alone and had no control of the situation.

What advice would you give to others regarding how to use their time to prepare for persecution?

The fact is that persecution does not automatically make a person better or worse. Rather, it shows who a person really is on the inside. If we stick to a good spiritual routine and if we have good spiritual habits, then our faith will not suffer. It is not worth waiting for some special time to begin to strengthen ourselves spiritually. For example, we do not need to wait for some special event to occur to begin reading the Bible every day or developing a prayerful attitude.

Vladislav Kolbanov

Born: 1992 (Orenburg)

Biography: His mother began studying the Bible when he was six years old. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2008. At 18 years old, requested alternative service instead of serving in the military. Fulfilled his civilian service by caring for the elderly in a nursing home

Personal Comments

How has this experience strengthened your determination to serve Jehovah?

Others often ask me about whether, if given the chance, I would want to avoid this criminal prosecution. Answering this question for myself, I realize that I do not have a single drop of regret about what is happening to me. . . . I have been able to perceive Jehovah’s hand in my life, and I can see the support coming from the brothers and sisters.

I realize that it is due to trials that you develop endurance, that your faith in Jehovah is strengthened, and that your love for him grows.

Pavel Lekontsev

Born: 1981 (Kytat, Krasnoyarsk Territory)

Biography: Since childhood, has appreciated creation. Enjoys hiking, fishing, and foraging for mushrooms. Has worked in construction-related trades. Began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late 1990’s. Realized that the key to happiness is living by Bible standards. Baptized in 1999. Married his wife, Oksana, in 2017

Personal Comments

How did you react to the search, interrogations, and criminal prosecution?

When law enforcement [officers] burst into my home, I was simply surprised at how quickly Jehovah answered what had to be probably the shortest prayer of my life. I prayed for calmness. The answer came, not hours or minutes, but several seconds later. I was calm and thinking clearly.

What is your determination regardless of the outcome of your criminal trial?

It is impossible to know what sentence the court will hand down. But I am certain that Jehovah will continue to give me strength. Because it is our victory whatever the court decides! No matter how difficult the trial, Jehovah provides the holy spirit we need. Over the course of my service to Jehovah, I have become convinced of this repeatedly! Therefore, I am determined to continue running the race to the finish.—2 Timothy 4:7.

Sergey Logunov

Born: 1962 (Orenburg)

Biography: Received specialized training as a machine operator. After serving in the army, became a professional photographer. Most recently worked as a gardener. Continues to take pictures as a hobby. Also plays the guitar. Began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the early 1990’s. Baptized in 1992. Married his wife, Larisa, in 1994

Personal Comments

What suggestions would you share with others about how to prepare for persecution?

It is a common fact that when difficult circumstances arise, that is when our faithfulness is revealed. To prepare for these challenges, we already need to be strengthening our relationships with Jehovah and Jesus Christ. It is like a blade. For a sword to hold up in battle, they temper it to strengthen it. When a soldier has a reliable sword, he feels much more confident during the battle. Jesus said that the one who is “faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” (Luke 16:10) Therefore, if someone trains himself to be obedient to God in all things now, there is a greater chance of remaining faithful during potential persecution.

Nikolay Zhugin

Born: 1976 (Kazakhstan)

Biography: Liked playing sports as a child. Works as a gas welder. Began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the mid-1990’s. Baptized in 1996. Although his wife, Galina, does not share his religious beliefs, they have a happy family and have raised a son and a daughter together

Personal Comments

What have you humbly requested of Jehovah during this time?

Jehovah will not deliver us from all our problems or persecution. He allows these things to happen to his servants. Given that, I asked and continue to ask for Jehovah to give me holy spirit so that I can endure all these trials. I feel that Jehovah has already been helping me during this investigation and trial to maintain my joy. I would not have been able to cope with this without him, that is for sure!

As the legal battle over their faith has continued for more than three years, it is evident that our dear brothers are determined to remain loyal to Jehovah. It is equally clear that Jehovah is acting in loyalty towards them.—2 Samuel 22:26.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHERS CONVICTED | Five Brothers Determined to Endure Despite Persecution

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Profiles

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