NOVEMBER 2, 2021
RUSSIA

UPDATE | Five Prosecuted in Sakhalin Rely on Jehovah for Support

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On May 11, 2022, the Sakhalin Regional Court denied the appeal of Brothers Vyacheslav Ivanov, Aleksandr Kozlitin, Sergey Kulakov, Sister Tatyana Kulakova, and Brother Yevgeniy Yelin. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

On January 31, 2022, the Nevelskiy City Court of the Sakhalin Region convicted Vyacheslav, Aleksandr, Sergey, Tatyana, and Yevgeniy. Sergey and Yevgeniy received suspended prison sentences of six years and six months. Vyacheslav, Aleksandr, and Tatyana received suspended prison sentences of two years.

Time Line

July 2020

Vyacheslav, Aleksandr, Sergey, and Tatyana were placed under travel restrictions
April 2, 2020

Yevgeniy was placed under travel restrictions
January 20, 2019

Officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s secret police, raided at least 11 homes of citizens suspected of being Jehovah’s Witnesses. The officers were aggressive and interrogated the minor children of the families. This occurred shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to address the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Profiles

Sergey Kulakov

Born: 1961 (Nevelsk, Sakhalin Region)

Biography: Raised in a boarding school from the age of 14. As a child, played soccer and chess. Graduated from a vocational school and was trained as a ship-repair mechanic. Now retired

During the 2000’s, he and his wife, Tatyana, began to consider the Bible. Moved by the love he saw among Jehovah’s Witnesses, he was baptized in 2008. The couple have two sons

Personal Comments

What specific challenges has Jehovah helped you to endure?

The most difficult part was to remain calm and joyful. By staying busy with spiritual things, I became convinced of God’s words: “With someone loyal you act in loyalty.” (2 Samuel 22:26) My love and trust in Jehovah continue to grow. It also helps me not to worry about what might happen in the future, because he is in control of everything that takes place.

Tatyana Kulakova

Born: 1973 (Nevelsk, Sakhalin Region)

Biography: Since her childhood, has enjoyed reading, drawing, and music. Worked as a plasterer and painter. Married Sergey in 1996, and they have two sons

Saw the value of the Bible after learning what it says about the purpose for the earth and the condition of the dead. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2003

Personal Comments

What is one scripture that has helped you to be courageous or to endure with joy?

When the search was being conducted, and later, when they initiated a case against me and I had to travel to the FSB, Elisha’s words to his servant strengthened me: “For there are more who are with us than those who are with them.” I imagined that the Almighty, Jehovah, as well as Jesus and the many angels were all by my side. Such powerful support helped me to do what I needed to do instead of worrying excessively.

Yevgeniy Yelin

Born: 1974 (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Region)

Biography: Has enjoyed drawing since his youth. Worked as a home designer. Owns his own renovation company. Also designs and builds furniture

Began to investigate the Bible while in high school. In the 1990’s, he met Jehovah’s Witnesses and respected how they used Bible principles in their daily life. Baptized in 1992. Married his wife, Anastasia, in 2017

Personal Comments

What advice would you offer to others preparing for possible persecution?

I would advise others to fill their mind and heart with spiritual things. It is critically important to follow the organization’s direction. We are eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the new world, but persecution is a part of those prophecies that absolutely must take place. If we are facing persecution, in essence, we are taking part in the fulfillment of prophecy. That is a special privilege!

We know that Jehovah will continue to care for our dear brothers and sisters as they keep echoing the words of the prophet Isaiah: “God is my salvation. I will trust and feel no dread.”—Isaiah 12:2.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE | Five Prosecuted in Sakhalin Rely on Jehovah for Support

Time Line

Profiles

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