APRIL 8, 2022 | UPDATED: FEBRUARY 16, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCE | Detained Father Cares for Family’s Spiritual Needs

PLAY

On February 15, 2023, the Sovetskiy District Court of Kazan convicted Brother Konstantin Sannikov and sentenced him to six and a half years in prison. He has been in pretrial detention since August 2020 and remains in custody.

Time Line

August 25, 2020

Criminal case initiated after investigators secretly installed listening devices in Konstantin’s home. Authorities considered his hosting Bible discussions to be organizing extremist activities
August 27, 2020

Arrested and immediately placed in pretrial detention
May 26, 2021

The court prohibited his wife from visiting him and has continued to deny her requests
August 20, 2021

Criminal trial began

Profile

Konstantin Sannikov

Born: 1970 (Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan)

Biography: Worked as a forensic medical expert and neuropsychologist before being detained. Married his wife, Irina, in 1992. They have four children

Began to study with Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized in 1994

Personal Comments From Konstantin’s Wife, Irina a

How does your husband care for the family while in detention?

Despite his arrest, Konstantin continues to care for us spiritually. [Through his letters,] he shares points he has discovered while doing research, sends us encouraging experiences, and describes conversations he has had with his cellmates. He also tells us about how Jehovah is answering his prayers.

[The children and I] continue to have our family worship every Friday, just like before. Afterwards, we write letters to Konstantin and share what we considered. He writes back and shares his own thoughts [on the same information we studied]. Sometimes he gives us assignments as well, like singing certain songs or researching specific topics.

As Konstantin cares for his family spiritually while in detention, we are confident that Jehovah will never fail to care “for those who are his own.”—1 Timothy 5:8.

a Because Brother Sannikov is currently in pretrial detention, it was not possible to obtain comments from him.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCE | Detained Father Cares for Family’s Spiritual Needs

Time Line

Profile

You May Also Like

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia