MAY 3, 2022 | UPDATED: MARCH 26, 2024
RUSSIA

UPDATE—FINES IMPOSED | Strengthened Through Prayer

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On March 25, 2024, the Votkinskiy District Court of the Udmurtian Republic convicted Brothers Sergey Gobozev and Mikhail Potapov. They received fines of 450,000 rubles ($4,855 U.S.) and 400,000 rubles ($4,316 U.S.) respectively.

Time Line

January 20, 2021

A criminal case was opened against Sergey and Mikhail, charging them with organizing the activities of an extremist organization
January 21, 2021

Sergey’s apartment was searched. Authorities confiscated personal belongings, such as his driver’s license, car documents, electronic devices, photo album, and various translations of the Bible. Authorities arrested Mikhail and searched his home
January 22, 2021

Sergey was placed under house arrest. Mikhail was transferred to a pretrial detention facility
May 18, 2021

Sergey was released from house arrest but remained under travel restrictions
May 19, 2021

Mikhail was released from pretrial detention and placed under travel restrictions
October 7, 2021

The trial began

Profiles

Mikhail Potapov

Born: 1978 (Kepa, Republic of Karelia)

Biography: Repairs and maintains office equipment

Had been searching for help to understand the Bible. Finally found answers by studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Baptized in 2003. Married Tamara in 2011

Personal Comments

How were you able to maintain your joy during your detention?

I did not have a Bible for the first month I was in [detention]. So for the first week, every morning I tried to recall ten verses from the Bible and meditate on them. The second week, I began to underline and highlight Bible passages in the letters I received. I was so happy when I finally got hold of a copy of the Bible. I read through it cover to cover in just three months.

How did prayer help you?

I prayed to Jehovah like never before. I never could have imagined that I would pray to him for such extended periods.

Jehovah always answered when things were particularly difficult for me emotionally. There were several occasions when I felt like giving up and had no strength left. It was at those moments that it was as if my Father lifted me off my knees and gave me the strength I needed.

We are confident that Jehovah will continue to support Sergey and Mikhail as they endeavor to strengthen their faith through Bible study and prayer.—Colossians 2:6, 7.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—FINES IMPOSED | Strengthened Through Prayer

Time Line

Profiles

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