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Left: Brother Yevgeniy Stefanidin. Right: Brother Aleksandr Votyakov

APRIL 23, 2024 | UPDATED: OCTOBER 25, 2024
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHERS CONVICTED | Grateful to Serve Jehovah

UPDATE—BROTHERS CONVICTED | Grateful to Serve Jehovah

On October 25, 2024, the Pervomayskiy District Court of Izhevsk in the Udmurtian Republic convicted Brothers Yevgeniy Stefanidin and Aleksandr Votyakov. They were given suspended prison sentences of six years and six years and six months respectively. They are not required to go to prison at this time.

Profiles

Like Aleksandr and Yevgeniy, we consider it a great privilege to ‘fearlessly render sacred service’ to Jehovah all our days.—Luke 1:74, 75.

Time Line

  1. April 14, 2021

    Security forces conducted a search of Yevgeniy’s house

  2. December 13, 2022

    Criminal case initiated against Aleksandr and Yevgeniy

  3. December 14, 2022

    Officers searched both homes. Aleksandr sent to a temporary detention facility. Yevgeniy placed under travel restrictions

  4. December 15, 2022

    Aleksandr released from temporary detention and placed under house arrest

  5. June 9, 2023

    Aleksandr released from house arrest and placed under travel restrictions

  6. August 17, 2023

    Criminal trial began