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From left to right: Brothers Yevgeniy Grinenko and Sergey Kobelev and Sister Svetlana Yefremova

The Lesozavodskiy District Court of the Primorye Territory will soon announce its verdict in the case involving Brothers Yevgeniy Grinenko and Sergey Kobelev and Sister Svetlana Yefremova. The prosecutor has yet to request a potential sentence.

A criminal case was initiated against Yevgeniy for organizing the activities of an “extremist” organization. FSB officers were dispatched to search the homes of Yevgeniy and Sergey. Other officers went to Sergey’s workplace and detained him. He was interrogated for four hours and released. Yevgeniy was also detained and placed in a temporary holding facility

The court ordered that Yevgeniy be held in a pretrial detention center

Authorities transferred Yevgeniy to a pretrial detention center in Spassk-Dalny

The court released Yevgeniy from pretrial detention and placed him under house arrest

Yevgeniy was released from house arrest but ordered not to leave the area

A criminal case was officially initiated against Sergey for participating in the activities of an “extremist” organization

Svetlana was added to the case

Biography: A woodworker by trade. From 1994 until his arrest, worked as an operator of a lumber-drying kiln. Enjoys fishing and foraging for mushrooms. Began studying the Bible in 1997. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1999

How were you able to maintain your joy while in the pretrial detention center?

Constantly calling to mind different scriptures and applying them to my circumstances helped me remain joyful. I realized that although experiencing fiery persecution is difficult, it fulfills Bible prophecies. Also, personal study reminded me that many brothers and sisters have undergone similar trials while maintaining their faithfulness and loyalty to Jehovah. This gave me the confidence that I too would be able to endure my trials.

What motivates you not to give up?

The things that are taking place in the world clearly show that this system is near its conclusion. I only need to endure a little longer until I see the final prophecies concerning its destruction fulfilled.

Biography: Worked as a railway overhead-line technician. Married Lyudmila in 1997. Studied the Bible and was baptized in 2007. Lyudmila also became a Witness

What opportunities have you had to witness to others during this time?

I have had many occasions to preach and to tell others about my faith and about Jehovah. This was the case when speaking not only to the investigators but also to workmates. I had to explain why I was being put on trial and then why I was being fired. . . . This helped me to realize that I could actually increase my service to Jehovah in spite of my present circumstances.

Biography: Worked in a clothing factory until it closed in 1991. In 1996, began working for a social services agency. Retired nine years later. Began studying the Bible in 1992. Became convinced that God is the Creator of all things. Baptized in 1993

What has helped you to stay positive during this persecution?

Jesus said at Matthew 10:18: “And you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.” Today, I have a share in the fulfillment of these words, and I am happy to have been given such a privilege.

Our faithful brothers and sisters set encouraging examples of courageously entering “into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.”—Acts 14:22.

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