OCTOBER 26, 2022 | UPDATED: NOVEMBER 22, 2022
RUSSIA

UPDATE—BROTHER CONVICTED | “With God’s Support I Can Withstand Anything”

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On November 21, 2022, the Asha City Court of the Chelyabinsk Region convicted Brother Andrey Perminov and imposed a suspended prison sentence of six years. He is not required to go to prison at this time.

Time Line

June 11, 2021

The homes of five families of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including Andrey’s, were searched in the cities of Asha and Minyar. Authorities confiscated numerous personal belongings
November 10, 2021

Placed under travel restrictions
April 27, 2022

Accused of belonging to an extremist organization and added to terrorist list
June 6, 2022

Criminal trial began

Profile

Andrey Perminov

Born: 1972 (Asha)

Biography: Very active as a child, but illness later confined him to a wheelchair. After finishing school, worked as an accountant for a disability association. Now works as a computer programmer and website administrator

From a young age, pondered the purpose of life. Began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1995. Baptized in 1999. Married Natalya in 2015

Personal Comments

What Bible example has strengthened you?

Recently, the investigator called to say that I would be indicted. Hearing that made me feel anxious and sick at heart. But that very day, my wife and I had read the account from David’s life when the Amalekites had captured the city of Ziklag and taken everyone captive. At that time, David “began weeping loudly until [he] had no strength left to weep.” Though he “was very distressed, . . . David strengthened himself by Jehovah his God.” (1 Samuel 30:4, 6) David’s example helped me remember that with God’s support I can withstand anything. Regardless of what we might lose, even if it is our peace of mind or reputation, our Father will help us.

Like Andrey, we can take courage from how Jehovah supported his faithful servants in the past. We have full confidence in God’s promise: “As I have done, I will carry you and bear you and rescue you.”—Isaiah 46:4.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—BROTHER CONVICTED | “With God’s Support I Can Withstand Anything”

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