JANUARY 31, 2022 | UPDATED: MARCH 27, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—SENTENCE REDUCED | Sister Lyudmila Salikova Finds Strength and Comfort in Jehovah

PLAY

On March 23, 2023, the Chelyabinsk Regional Court announced its decision following a second appeal from Sister Lyudmila Salikova. The court reduced her suspended prison sentence from six years to two and a half years. She is not required to go to prison at this time.

On March 17, 2022, the Chelyabinsk Regional Court dismissed Lyudmila’s appeal.

On January 20, 2022, the Snezhinsk City Court of the Chelyabinsk Region convicted Lyudmila and imposed a suspended prison sentence of six years.

Time Line

November 2020

Security forces in Snezhinsk searched the homes of four families of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including Lyudmila’s home. Officers also searched her place of employment. Subsequently, she was forced to resign from her job
August 26, 2021

A criminal case was initiated against Lyudmila for organizing services for a banned religious organization and importing banned literature
December 8, 2021

Her criminal trial began

Profile

Lyudmila Salikova

Born: 1951 (Sysert)

Biography: Married in 1971. Raised three sons. Husband died in 2009. Worked as an energy engineer for the city of Snezhinsk. Enjoys traveling

Her older sister began studying the Bible in 1999. Six months later, Lyudmila joined her. Found satisfying explanations about the meaning of life and the prevalence of injustice, violence, and war. Baptized in 2002

Personal Comments

How has your relationship with Jehovah grown during these trials?

Prior to these events, I was often critical of myself and felt that Jehovah did not value me . . . My thinking has now changed, and it has become easier for me to reassure myself that this is not the case. Also, seeing how he has given me the privilege to sanctify his name before the court here in Snezhinsk, I have come to realize that Jehovah loves and trusts me. I view any situation that Jehovah allows to take place as an opportunity to live up to his trust in me.

Is there something encouraging that a brother or sister said that has helped you to endure?

Ahead of the first court hearing, I felt extremely anxious . . . I prayed: “. . . Please give me your holy spirit. I am begging you, Jehovah!” A short time later, I received a text message from one of my sisters. It read: “. . . A trial of faith works like a washing machine. It ‘spins, whirls, twists, and wrings’ us. But as a result, we can come out cleaner and better than we were before. All the searches, interrogations, and investigative actions have ‘wrung and twisted’ you inside out. Nonetheless, these anxieties and challenges have made you even more precious in Jehovah’s eyes and in our eyes as well . . . We are sure that tomorrow morning you will not only find yourself in court but also in Jehovah’s powerful arms.” I felt that Jehovah, knowing the condition I was in, had used my dear sister to express how he felt about me.

Our brothers and sisters in Russia continue to find strength and comfort in Jehovah. Our loving God assures us that he will “render justice to the fatherless and to those who are crushed, so that mortal man of the earth may no longer make them afraid.”—Psalm 10:18.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—SENTENCE REDUCED | Sister Lyudmila Salikova Finds Strength and Comfort in Jehovah

Time Line

Profile

You May Also Like

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia