APRIL 8, 2024 | UPDATED: JULY 1, 2024
RUSSIA

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCES | Experiencing Jehovah’s Care While in Pretrial Detention

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On June 26, 2024, the Novocherkassk City Court of the Rostov Region convicted Sister Lyubov Galitsyna and Brothers Garegin Khachaturyan and Gevorg Yeritsyan. Lyubov was given a prison sentence of two years and three months, but due to her time in pretrial detention, the sentence is considered served. She is not required to go to prison at this time. Garegin and Gevorg were given prison sentences of six years and six months and six years and two months respectively. Both brothers will remain in custody.

Profiles

Lyubov Galitsyna

Born: 1959 (Plastunovskaya, Krasnodar Territory)

Biography: Worked as a mechanical engineer in a manufacturing facility before retirement

Became interested in studying the Bible after learning about the hope of life without sickness and death. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1995

Widowed in 2015

Personal Comments

How did you feel Jehovah’s support during the year and four months you spent in the pretrial detention center?

Being in a cell with drug users, thieves, and other criminals was very challenging. There was often a lot of tension. I would pray to Jehovah, sometimes all night, begging him to show me how to deal with the situation. Over 25 different people passed through my cell during my time in the detention center. With Jehovah’s help, I managed to build a good relationship with all of them. He also helped me to use this circumstance to identify and work on my own weaknesses. I was grateful for the opportunity to improve my Christian personality.

Garegin Khachaturyan

Born: 1967 (Azerbaijan)

Biography: Worked as a carpenter. Moved to Russia in 1995 after living in Poland and Germany

Impressed with the accuracy of the Bible and the value of applying its principles. Baptized in 1994

Married Kseniya in 2008. They have one son

Personal Comments From Garegin’s Wife, Kseniya a

What is helping you and your husband to endure?

Garegin wrote to me the following: “I am very grateful to Jehovah for his support. The letters I receive from the friends in our congregation provide me with much spiritual encouragement. And knowing that they are also caring for you helps me to feel calm. I have never felt as close to Jehovah as I do now.” I agree with Garegin. We both feel closer to Jehovah, and we are even more aware of his presence in our lives.

We are confident that, although our opposers mean to do us harm, Jehovah will continue to bless his loyal servants and make things “turn out well.”—Genesis 50:20.

Time Line

August 11, 2022

Criminal case initiated against Lyubov, Garegin, and Gevorg. Homes searched. Garegin and Gevorg placed in a temporary detention center
August 12, 2022

Garegin and Gevorg transferred to a pretrial detention center
August 16, 2022

Lyubov placed in a temporary detention center
August 17, 2022

Lyubov transferred to a pretrial detention center
September 20, 2023

Criminal trial began
December 25, 2023

Lyubov released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest

a b During the preparation of this article, Brothers Khachaturyan and Yeritsyan were in pretrial detention and it was not possible to obtain their personal comments.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCES | Experiencing Jehovah’s Care While in Pretrial Detention

Profiles

Time Line

See Also

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia