AUGUST 13, 2021 | UPDATED: MARCH 6, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—SENTENCE REDUCED | Brothers Baranov and Li Remain Calm and Confident in Jehovah

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On March 1, 2023, the Khabarovsk Territory Court reduced Brother Yegor Baranov’s suspended prison sentence to four and a half years following an appeal. He is not required to go to prison at this time.

On June 6, 2022, the Vyazemskiy District Court of the Khabarovsk Territory convicted Yegor and imposed a suspended prison sentence of five years. Sadly, Brother Yen Sen Li died before the conclusion of the trial.

Time Line

February 2, 2021

Court hearings began in the trial against Yegor and Yen Sen
November 20, 2020

Yegor was released from the pretrial detention center after 177 days
August 26, 2020

The Central District Court of Khabarovsk seized Yen Sen’s car
May 29, 2020

Yegor was sent to a pretrial detention center
May 26, 2020

A criminal case in the Khabarovsk Territory was filed against Yegor and Yen Sen

Profiles

Yegor Baranov

Born: 2001 (Olovyannaya, Trans-Baikal Territory)

Biography: Has two older brothers. Father died in 2013. Loves nature and animals. Was studying forestry before his arrest

Raised by his mother, who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The prospect of seeing his father again in the resurrection gives him hope. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2017. Enjoys playing the keyboard, writing poetry, and cooking

Personal Comments

How has your relationship with Jehovah grown through this experience?

Thanks to this trial that I have experienced, I am able to rejoice in the fact that no matter how terrible a situation might seem, Jehovah sees our feelings and treats us as individuals. I realized that if doubts of some kind suddenly start to creep into my heart, it means I may be underestimating how wise God is. He is the great strategist, and oftentimes he acts in a way that is most unexpected. Having spent time in a detention center, I came to realize that my trust in him had been put to the test, and in turn, my trust became much stronger.

Yen Sen Li

Born: 1952 (Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, Khabarovsk Territory)

Biography: The third of five children. An electrical engineer by trade. Married his wife, Olga, in 1991. They have one son. Developed interest in the Bible when he and his wife learned that it contains a hope for mankind’s future. Baptized in 1994. Likes to play chess and go for walks

Personal Comments

What have you prayed to Jehovah for during this time?

I begged God to strengthen my wife and me and to give us peace in our hearts. . . . A sense of calmness really did come over me during the interrogations, and this served to give me even more confidence in the fact that Jehovah will never abandon me.

When my wife was in the hospital suffering from a heart attack, I begged Jehovah that . . . she would receive quality care. Jehovah heard my prayers. It was plainly and obviously clear how he supported her and me through the brothers and sisters. They did not leave us unattended. They supported us materially and, most importantly, spiritually.

With the help of the friends and Jehovah, she was able to maintain a spiritual mindset. . . . She even tries to encourage others. This to me is clear evidence that Jehovah is providing support for my wife.

We commend our brothers for continuing to trust in Jehovah and are confident that he will strengthen them to endure.—2 Thessalonians 3:3.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—SENTENCE REDUCED | Brothers Baranov and Li Remain Calm and Confident in Jehovah

Time Line

Profiles

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