‘The Father Has Everything Under Control.’ Yuriy Savelyev Tells of Life in Jail and Nearly 5,000 Letters From Around the World

22 April 2020

Novosibirsk Region

Photo: Yuriy Savelyev

Yuriy Savelyev, a 66-year-old resident of Novosibirsk, has been detained for almost a year and a half. In prison, he faced humiliation, poor health, and the threat of contracting coronavirus, but in those trials he felt God’s support. He received about 4,700 letters from 44 countries and encourages others himself. Despite all the difficulties, Yuriy considers isolation as an opportunity to encourage others. “Love life! […] Dear ones, take care of and forgive each other, while there is time.”— Yuriy, writing in a responding letter.

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Case of Savelyev in Novosibirsk

Region:

Novosibirsk Region

Locality:

Novosibirsk

Case number:

11802500019000098

Number of the case in court:

1-820/2019

Current stage:

trial in court of first instance

Suspected of:

according to the investigation he unlawfully organised the activity of the religious organisation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city of Novosibirsk (with reference to the decision of the Russian Supreme Court on the liquidation of all 396 registered organisations of Jehovah’s Witnesses)

Investigating:

Investigative Department of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Novosibirsk Region

Case initiated:

7 November 2018

`Persons in the case`

Yuriy Savelyev Юрий Савельев

`Timeline`

Июль 2017 — сентябрь 2018	Следствие приходит к выводу, что Юрий Савельев решил вновь организовать деятельность ликвидированной МРО в Новосибирске.
04.08.2018	В квартире Савельева проводится скрытое видеонаблюдение в попытке зафиксировать отправление им религии Свидетелей Иеговы.
07.11.2018	Следователь СУ СК РФ по Новосибирской области Брюзгин А. Н. возбуждает в отношении Юрия Савельева и других неустановленных лиц уголовное дело по ч. 1 ст. 282.2 УК РФ.

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