AUGUST 26, 2022 | UPDATED: MARCH 8, 2023
RUSSIA

UPDATE—SENTENCES CHANGED | Persecution Met With Calm and Confidence

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On March 1, 2023, the Stavropol Territory Court announced its decision in the case involving Brother Anatoliy Gezik and his wife, Irina, and Brother Viktor Zimovskiy. The sentences previously imposed on Anatoliy and Viktor were changed to suspended prison sentences. Anatoliy is no longer required to perform correctional labor. Viktor was immediately released from prison. Irina’s suspended prison sentence remains unchanged. She is not required to go to prison at this time.

On November 14, 2022, the Georgievskiy City Court of the Stavropol Territory convicted Anatoliy and his wife, Irina, and Viktor. Anatoliy was sentenced to four years and two months of correctional labor. Irina was given a suspended prison sentence of four years and two months. Viktor was sentenced to six years and two months in prison and was immediately taken into custody.

Time Line

October 23, 2019

Law enforcement officers searched the homes of three families of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Georgievsk. Officers planted evidence in the homes while conducting the searches. Anatoliy, Irina, Viktor, and eight other Witnesses were detained and interrogated overnight
December 30, 2019

A criminal case was initiated against Anatoliy, Irina, and Viktor
January 23, 2020

Viktor was summoned for additional interrogation and placed in a temporary holding facility. He was transferred to pretrial detention the following day
March 23, 2020

Viktor was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest
May 6, 2020

Viktor was released from house arrest and placed under travel restrictions
October 6, 2021

Viktor’s travel restrictions were lifted
March 10, 2022

The criminal trial began

Profiles

Anatoliy Gezik

Born: 1967 (Nezlobnaya, Stavropol Territory)

Biography: While working in a juvenile correctional facility, questioned the future prospects for the young people there and the purpose of life. Found answers by studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Married Irina in 1997. Baptized in 1998

Personal Comments

What has strengthened you during these trials?

Keeping clear in mind the new world ahead, I understand that life has a purpose and is not in vain. All of us will face trials in the near future, and the nature of those trials will vary from person to person. In order to overcome them, we need to keep Jehovah, his Son, and all the things they have already done for us close in mind. During all these trials, it seems as if Jehovah has been holding me by the hand, and when I need it, he picks me up.

Viktor Zimovskiy

Born: 1969 (Georgievsk)

Biography: Both parents died when he was 13 years old

Began studying the Bible after his brother-in-law introduced him to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Was deeply comforted by the resurrection hope. Baptized in 2003

Married Nadezhda in 2006. They have three children together. When Viktor was arrested, Nadezhda was pregnant with their third child

Personal Comments

How did you feel Jehovah’s support while under house arrest?

While I was under house arrest, I was prohibited from using the telephone or the Internet and from leaving the house. . . . This meant that I was unable to provide for my family. My wife was nine months pregnant, and I could not even go to the store to pick up groceries or to buy things we needed for the little girl we were expecting. This was upsetting, but our family and fellow believers came to our aid. Jehovah has used our brothers and sisters to take care of everything: food, clothing, and even our emotional needs.

As they endure with joy and hope, we are convinced that Jehovah will remain “near to all those calling on him.”—Psalm 145:18.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

UPDATE—SENTENCES CHANGED | Persecution Met With Calm and Confidence

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Profiles

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