JANUARY 4, 2023 | UPDATED: NOVEMBER 17, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—SISTER CONVICTED | Determined to Help Others Despite Being Persecuted

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On November 15, 2023, the Kuznetskiy District Court of Novokuznetsk convicted Sister Tatyana Sushilnikova and imposed a suspended prison sentence of four years. She is not required to go to prison at this time.

Profile

Tatyana Sushilnikova

Born: 1959 (Korkino, Chelyabinsk Region)

Biography: Worked as a safety engineer and factory foreman. Married Sergey in 1979. They raised two daughters

Introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses by a relative. Began to study the Bible along with her husband. The love among the Witnesses impressed them. Both baptized in 1996

Personal Comments

How have you been encouraged by the examples of others?

Reading the articles about our brothers and sisters who have been arrested and put on trial has helped me. Those reports let me know what to expect, so I did not feel panicked or afraid when my turn came. Also, the example set by those who have gone to prison is wonderful. Despite having to battle their own discouraging circumstances, they write letters to upbuild their brothers and sisters on the outside.

My husband, Sergey, has had a positive effect on me too. When he was put on trial, he did not lose his confidence or resolve. And he did not allow himself to be discouraged by fears of what might happen. He thought of his brothers first and tried to find ways to encourage and strengthen them. I am determined to help those around me in whatever way I can. Being busy in this way helps me to live a productive life and not become overly focused on my own problems.

Like Tatyana, we are strengthened by the example of the “great cloud of witnesses” who endure persecution with Jehovah’s help.—Hebrews 12:1.

Time Line

June 8, 2021

Armed FSB agents raided three homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Novokuznetsk. Tatyana and her husband, Sergey, were interrogated for three hours
June 20, 2022

Criminal case initiated. Accused of conducting conversations of a religious nature and participating in meetings
July 22, 2022

Officially charged
September 27, 2022

Criminal trial began. Judge returned the case to the prosecutor due to procedural violations
November 16, 2022

Criminal trial resumed

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—SISTER CONVICTED | Determined to Help Others Despite Being Persecuted

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Time Line

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