MAY 20, 2022 | UPDATED: OCTOBER 17, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCES IMPOSED | Families Endure Persecution With Jehovah’s Support

PLAY

On October 13, 2023, the Sovietskiy District Court of the City of Oryol convicted Brothers Vladimir Melnik, Vladimir Piskarev, and Artur Putintsev. They each received a prison sentence of six years. All three brothers have been in detention since December 2020 and will remain in custody.

Time Line

December 8, 2020

A criminal case was opened against Brothers Melnik, Piskarev, and Putintsev
December 9, 2020

Law enforcement officers searched the homes of eight families of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Oryol, including those of the three brothers. They were sent to a temporary detention facility
December 11, 2020

Brothers Melnik and Piskarev were sent to a pretrial detention center
December 14, 2020

Brother Putintsev was sent to a pretrial detention center
January 19, 2021

Authorities were informed that Brother Piskarev had several medical emergencies but was denied medical attention and medication
January 21, 2021

Brother Piskarev was allowed to receive medication delivered by his wife but was still denied medical attention
June 24, 2021

Brother Piskarev was examined at a hospital, and it was determined he had suffered a stroke. He was returned to the pretrial detention center despite his medical condition
October 29, 2021

The brothers were officially charged with organizing the activities of an extremist organization
January 31, 2022

The criminal trial began

Profiles

Vladimir Melnik

Born: 1965 (Donetsk, Ukraine)

Biography: Served as a military officer. Later worked as an engineer

Married Irina in 1987. They have three daughters. Son died in 1991

Raised as an atheist. Both he and his wife became interested in the Bible after studying about Jesus’ life. Baptized in 1992

Personal Comments From Vladimir’s Wife, Irina a

In what ways has Vladimir focused on others while in detention?

Vladimir continues to share thoughts for family worship with our daughters and me [through his letters]. He often does this using poetry, parables, illustrations, brainteasers, crossword puzzles, and Bible quotes.

He even conducted a Bible study with one of the inmates. . . . This young man has since been transferred to a different city. Vladimir says he is sharing what he has learned with the prisoners there.

Vladimir Piskarev

Born: 1956 (Karpinsk, Sverdlovsk Region)

Biography: Worked as an engineer. Married Tatyana in 1976. They have one son and one daughter. Learning the truth about Jesus motivated him and his wife to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Baptized in 1995

Personal Comments From Vladimir’s Wife, Tatyana b

What is helping your husband to cope with being detained?

Vladimir considers it a blessing and a source of encouragement whenever he comes across someone who has a lot of questions. As he puts it, “It is so great to be busy in the work of the Lord—even in a detention center!” No matter where he may be, my husband frequently sings our Kingdom songs. He particularly likes the song entitled “We Will Keep Enduring.” It further strengthens his faith, and it helps him to remain loyal to Jehovah. On multiple occasions, he has written me with the words from this song: “We need to have endurance./Our faith we must defend./His love is our assurance./So we will keep enduring to the end.”

Artur Putintsev

Born: 1970 (Chita, Trans-Baikal Territory)

Biography: Oldest of six children. Worked as an electrician, a farmer, and a taxi driver. Married Lyudmila in 1993. Baptized in 2005

Personal Comments From Artur’s Wife, Lyudmila c

Can you recall an occasion when you felt that Jehovah especially helped you?

When my husband was arrested and placed in detention, the investigator seized all our electronic devices, including our telephones. I was all alone [and had no way to contact anyone]. I was in such a state of shock, and I prayed to Jehovah asking for help. I asked him to help me figure out how to get in contact with the brothers to tell them about what had happened. The car taking Artur away had just left when the brothers arrived. They encouraged me and gave me a telephone. They have not abandoned me over this entire year, and even today, they continue to take care of me. I know that Jehovah will answer prayers at just the right time and that he understands my feelings.

Though these families are temporarily separated, we are comforted by knowing that nothing has separated them from Jehovah’s loving care and protection.—Romans 8:38, 39.

a b c Because Brothers Melnik, Piskarev, and Putintsev were in pretrial detention at the time of writing, it was not possible to obtain comments from them.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—PRISON SENTENCES IMPOSED | Families Endure Persecution With Jehovah’s Support

Time Line

Profiles

You May Also Like

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia