AUGUST 17, 2022
RUSSIA

Encouraging Loved Ones While Under Trial

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On August 8, 2022, the Golovinskiy District Court of Moscow convicted Brothers Aleksandr Serebryakov and Yuriy Temirbulatov. They each received a suspended prison sentence of six years. They are not required to go to prison at this time. Both brothers were immediately released from custody.

Time Line

February 10, 2021

Sixteen homes belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses were raided by officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, and the National Guard. Two brothers reported being beaten, and 18 were taken for interrogation. Aleksandr and Yuriy were detained
February 12, 2021

Both brothers officially placed in pretrial detention
October 28, 2021

Yuriy was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to remove a tumor
November 4, 2021

Yuriy was transferred from the hospital back to pretrial detention
February 7, 2022

The criminal trial began

Profiles

Aleksandr Serebryakov

Born: 1977 (Chekhov, Moscow Region)

Biography: Parents were in the military. Has also lived in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Worked in construction

Seeing the brotherly love among Jehovah’s Witnesses moved him to study the Bible. Baptized in 1996. Married Irina in 2006

Personal comments from Aleksandr’s wife, Irina a

How did Aleksandr support you spiritually while in custody?

Aleksandr sent me letters containing spiritual thoughts and encouragement. We also wrote to each other and shared gems from the weekly Bible reading. The spiritual comfort he provided gave me confidence that we will be able to endure to the end and keep faithful.

What is helping you to endure?

At Psalm 116:1, 2, it says: “I love Jehovah because he hears my voice, my pleas for help. For he inclines his ear to me, and I will call on him as long as I live.” I know Jehovah is showing humility by inclining his ear to me, an imperfect human. He does this, not out of obligation, but because he loves me. He has everything under control and is aware of our emotional, physical, and spiritual condition. This reassures me that Jehovah is also near to my husband and is caring for him.

Yuriy Temirbulatov

Born: 1977 (Samarkand, Uzbekistan)

Biography: Worked as a tax consultant

Yuriy married Alla in 1996. They began to study the Bible together and were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1998. They have three children

Personal comments from Yuriy’s wife, Alla b

How was Yuriy able to maintain a positive outlook while in detention?

He mentioned in his letters that prayer, hope, and the support of the brothers and sisters were really helping him. He also wrote about different experiences he had while sharing the good news with others. These experiences helped encourage him and resulted in a joyful heart.

What is helping you to endure?

Prayer and meditation on our future hope keeps me from getting too discouraged. I understand that this is not the end. Jehovah will be victorious and so will we. I often listen to song number 44, “A Prayer of the Lowly One.” That song contains some powerful expressions. When things get very difficult for me, I turn it on and just sing along.

Aleksandr and Yuriy set a fine example of caring for their families spiritually even while they were separated from them physically. May Jehovah continue to reward them and their loved ones for their faithful endurance.—1 Timothy 5:8.

a b During the preparation of this article, Brothers Serebryakov and Temirbulatov were in pretrial detention. It was not possible to obtain personal comments from them.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Encouraging Loved Ones While Under Trial

Time Line

Profiles

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