FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | UPDATED: JULY 31, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—FINES IMPOSED | Brothers Strengthen Their Faith With Help From Fellow Believers

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On July 28, 2023, the Petrozavodsk City Court of the Republic of Karelia convicted Brothers Maksim Amosov, Mikhail Gordeev, Nikolay Leshchenko, and Dmitriy Ravnushkin. The brothers received fines ranging from 450,000 rubles ($4,909 U.S.) to 500,000 rubles ($5,455 U.S.).

Time Line

July 31, 2019

FSB officers searched the homes and workplaces of 16 of Jehovah’s Witnesses
August 2, 2019

The investigator restricted Maksim from leaving the country. Authorities initiated a criminal case against Nikolay and ordered him not to leave the area
August 6, 2019

The investigator charged Maksim and Nikolay with the “crime” of studying the Bible
September 5, 2019

FSB officers detained Mikhail at his workplace and confiscated his computer. The investigator initiated a criminal case against Mikhail
September 20, 2019

FSB officers searched Dmitriy’s workplace and seized his phone. The investigator interrogated Dmitriy for four hours, initiated a criminal case against him, and ordered him not to leave the area
October 18, 2021

The criminal trial began

Profiles

Mikhail Gordeev

Born: 1959

Biography: Enjoys swimming and music

From a young age, had questions about God and the purpose of life. First wife passed away when their son was young. While searching for comfort, spoke to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and learned God’s name. Met the Witnesses again several years later and immediately agreed to a Bible study. Baptized in 1996

Married Yelizaveta in 1999. They have two daughters still living at home

Personal Comments

What steps did you take to prepare your family for persecution?

After the ban took effect, . . . I realized this was going to be a serious test of our faith. So I resolved to strengthen my faith and the faith of my family. We regularly read the Bible together and prayed together, asking for courage. We also read the experiences about the endurance of our brothers and sisters.

Do you recall an occasion when you felt that Jehovah helped you in a special way?

About a month after the search, [the investigators] picked me up at work. They took me in for an interrogation and read the indictment. During the interrogation, the investigators applied a lot of pressure. They threatened to send me to a detention center if I refused to testify against my fellow believers. That was a challenging time. I prayed to Jehovah and asked for wisdom and strength. He helped me to endure and not give in to the pressure.

Nikolay Leshchenko

Born: 1962 (Poltava, Ukraine)

Biography: Married Svetlana in 1984. In 1988, they met a Witness couple when he was a soldier stationed in Poland. In 1989, they attended the Memorial for the first time. In 1993, after returning to Russia, they began studying the Bible and later that year they were baptized

Personal Comments

In what way have you felt Jehovah’s hand while restricted from traveling?

By the autumn of 2019, I was not doing well emotionally. Svetlana was attending the convention in Warsaw, Poland. She met up with some of our friends who, at the time, were living in Poland. She arranged for me to talk with them via videoconference. I do not recall exactly what they said, but just talking to them was such a tremendous support to me. . . . I could see that Jehovah was behind this, using this opportunity to help me.

We are filled with joy as our brothers in Russia continue to walk in the truth despite persecution.—3 John 4.

a b Unable to obtain comments.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—FINES IMPOSED | Brothers Strengthen Their Faith With Help From Fellow Believers

Time Line

Profiles

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