JANUARY 26, 2022 | UPDATED: JUNE 27, 2023
RUSSIA
UPDATE—BROTHERS IMPRISONED | Helping Others and Trusting in Jehovah Sustain Brothers in Tynda
On June 23, 2023, the Tyndinskiy District Court of the Amur Region convicted Brothers Vladimir Bukin, Mikhail Burkov, Valeriy Slashchev, and Sergey Yuferov. Mikhail was sentenced to six years and two months in prison. Vladimir, Valeriy, and Sergey were each sentenced to six years and four months in prison. All four brothers were taken into custody immediately.
On December 27, 2022, the Amur Regional Court overturned the conviction of Vladimir, Mikhail, Valeriy, and Sergey and returned their case for a new trial. The brothers were released from custody and are awaiting a new trial. However, they are restricted from leaving the region.
On October 25, 2022, the Tyndinskiy District Court of the Amur Region convicted Vladimir, Mikhail, Valeriy, and Sergey. Vladimir, Valeriy, and Sergey each received prison sentences of six years and six months. Mikhail received a prison sentence of six years and two months. All four brothers were immediately taken into custody from the courtroom.
Time Line
November 17, 2019
Law enforcement officers searched the homes of eight families of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area, including those of the four brothers
November 18, 2019
Investigators charged all four brothers with extremism. They were placed under recognizance agreements preventing them from leaving the area
July 26, 2021
The criminal trial began
Profiles
We are confident that Jehovah will continue “showing loyal love” to our dear brothers and to all his faithful servants.—Genesis 39:21.