DECEMBER 20, 2021
RUSSIA

UPDATE | Four Brothers Await Result of Trial After Unprecedented Home Raids in Trans-Baikal Territory

PLAY

On September 20, 2022, the Trans-Baikal Territory Court denied the appeal of Brothers Vladimir Ermolaev, Sergey Kirilyuk, Igor Mamalimov, and Aleksandr Putintsev. Vladimir, Igor, and Aleksandr remain in prison. Sergey is not required to go to prison at this time.

On June 6, 2022, the Central District Court of Chita convicted Vladimir, Sergey, Igor, and Aleksandr. Sergey received a suspended prison sentence of six years. Vladimir, Igor, and Aleksandr were each sentenced to six and a half years in prison. Their sentences will begin immediately.

Time Line

March 16, 2021

Court proceedings began
February 2, 2021

Vladimir, Sergey, Igor, and Aleksandr were officially charged with organizing the activities of a banned organization
April 3, 2020

Vladimir released from house arrest
February 15, 2020

Sergey released after five days of detention
February 12, 2020

Igor and Aleksandr released from detainment. Sergey’s detainment was extended for 72 hours. Vladimir was sentenced to house arrest for 52 days
February 10, 2020

FSB officers searched 50 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Trans-Baikal Territory. The mass raids included the homes of elderly and disabled Witnesses. In one family, a Witness minor was beaten in front of his mother and younger sister. One brother was tortured. At the conclusion of the searches, officers detained ten brothers, including Igor, Aleksandr, Sergey, and Vladimir

Profiles

Sergey Kirilyuk

Born: 1972 (Cheremkhovo, Irkutsk Region)

Biography: Grew up in large family with six children. Works as a welder. Married Olga in 1992. They have three children

Sergey and Olga became interested in the Bible in the late 1990’s. Baptized in 1998

Personal Comments

How did your conduct in the detention center affect others?

I was put into a cell with a repeat offender. He had spent practically his entire adult life in prison. . . . Every time I would come back to the cell after an interrogation, he would ask: “So, did you give in?” and I would respond: “No.” It was clear that he respected me. [The authorities] would interrogate me all day and did not give me anything to eat. But my cellmate would collect food for me to eat when I was brought back to my cell. I did not go hungry.

Igor Mamalimov

Born: 1976 (Ilishevsky District, Republic of Bashkortostan)

Biography: Raised on a large farm with two siblings. Plays the accordion. Works part-time as a mason and auto mechanic. Married Natalya in 2007. The couple has three children

In early 2000’s, his failing health and younger sister’s death prompted questions about God, life, and death. Found answers by studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Baptized in 2008

Personal Comments

How has your family benefited spiritually during your trial?

Our family has become very tight-knit and spiritually strong. The kids have made spiritual progress. They love Jehovah so much. . . . Their comments at the meetings have improved, and they ask a lot of interesting questions. . . . They pray to Jehovah a lot and tell us about how he is answering their prayers. This trial has played a huge role in our lives, and everyone in our family has experienced many positive things from it.

Aleksandr Putintsev

Born: 1974 (Verkhnyaya Khila, Trans-Baikal Territory)

Biography: An only child. Loves to read and enjoys photography. Married Galina in 1994. They operate a business together and have one son

In the 1990’s, realized his heavy drinking was negatively impacting his family. Started studying the Bible and found that applying its wisdom transformed his life. Baptized in 1997

Personal Comments

How has prayer helped you?

The first interrogation was a very serious test of faith for me. I was extremely nervous, and it was very difficult for me emotionally. I prayed a lot. I was also aware and could sense that my many friends and family members were all praying for me. I remember praying all the way to the interrogation. While I was in the investigator’s office, I felt absolutely calm and I was confident of Jehovah’s support. The subsequent interrogations gave me greater confidence that Jehovah would not abandon me.

May we imitate the strong faith of our dear brothers who, like Daniel and his three companions, ‘resolved in their heart’ to remain loyal to Jehovah despite great pressure from secular authorities.—Daniel 1:8.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE | Four Brothers Await Result of Trial After Unprecedented Home Raids in Trans-Baikal Territory

Time Line

Profiles

You May Also Like

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia