NOVEMBER 28, 2022 | UPDATED: APRIL 27, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—FINES IMPOSED | Anxieties Overcome by Relying on Jehovah

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On April 26, 2023, the Leninskiy District Court of Nizhny Novgorod convicted Brothers Oleg Konshin, Sergey Malyanov, and Roman Zhivolupov a and Sister Svetlana Malyanova, Sergey’s daughter. The court imposed fines ranging from 450,000 rubles ($5,494 U.S.) to 700,000 rubles ($8,546 U.S.).

Profiles

Sergey Malyanov

Born: 1969 (Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Region)

Biography: Trained as a figure skater from youth. Toured Russia and other countries as an ice acrobat with Moscow Circus on Ice. Has a daughter, Svetlana, who is also a defendant in this case

Began studying the Bible after a fellow performer introduced him to the Witnesses. Attended meetings in many locations as he traveled with the circus troupe. Was moved by the love and unity he observed. Baptized in 1998

Personal Comments

How have you and your daughter been able to support one another during this difficult experience?

During the initial interrogation, the investigators made threats about what would happen to me and my daughter if I did not cooperate with them and sign a confession of guilt. In an attempt to add emotional pressure, they even contrived a scenario where my daughter and I “happened” to pass each other in the hallway at the investigation center. I think they hoped seeing her would weaken my resolve and make me give in to worry about what could happen to her if I did not do what they said. But the opposite happened. In that brief moment, we were able to encourage and assure each other that Jehovah was going to help us. Instead of making me afraid, seeing her confidence and determination boosted my own. I was able to make it clear that no matter what they tried to do to us, I would not sign any confession.

Svetlana Malyanova

Born: 1996 (Nizhny Novgorod)

Biography: Enjoys poetry, reading, and singing. Teaches English and French

Began learning about Jehovah as a child from her father, Sergey. Baptized at age 20 in 2016

Personal Comments

How has your experience encouraged others?

I suffer from anxiety, so when the brothers and sisters began being arrested, I wondered if I would be able to endure an experience like that myself. Once it did happen and the officers burst into my home, I immediately began praying. I knew that the only one I could rely on in that moment was Jehovah. Even during the intense psychological pressure of the interrogation, I was able to endure with Jehovah’s help, much to my amazement. Sometimes a brother or sister will say: “If Svetlana was able to endure, then I can too!”

Our brothers and sisters who remain faithful despite persecution are living proof that those who “hope in Jehovah” will be “courageous and strong of heart.”—Psalm 27:14.

Time Line

February 7, 2019

A judge authorized police to monitor Sergey’s phone calls and other electronic communications
July 16-17, 2019

Police searched the homes of 31 families of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod Region. Oleg, Sergey, and Svetlana were arrested and taken to a temporary detention center. A criminal case was officially initiated against them
July 18, 2019

Oleg, Sergey, and Svetlana were released from the detention center. The court imposed restrictions preventing the two brothers from leaving their homes at certain times, communicating with each other, or using the Internet
August 24, 2021

Roman was officially charged with participating in the activities of an extremist organization and placed under travel restrictions
March 3, 2022

The criminal trial began

a b No photograph of Brother Roman Zhivolupov was available at the time this article was published.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—FINES IMPOSED | Anxieties Overcome by Relying on Jehovah

Profiles

Time Line

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