Vilen Avanesov, Convicted for his Faith in Jehovah God, Was Released After Almost 5 Years Behind Bars

On February 9, 2024, Vilen Avanesov was released from Penal colony No.3 in Dimitrovgrad, having served his sentence imposed by the court. For talking about God with friends at home, the elderly believer spent 2.5 years in a detention center and more than 2 years in a penal colony.

Vilen served his sentence in the penal colony together with his son Arsen, who will have to spend another year in prison. Both worked in the sewing department. They received several rewards for their hard work. Largely due to Vilen's love for people, he developed friendly relations with his cellmates and the administration. "He was respected in the detention center and respected in the colony," said Vilen's wife, Stella.

The most difficult thing for Vilen was the being separated from his loved ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the believer could not see his wife for 1.5 years. "He always tried to maintain a positive attitude, to look cheerful, and this comforted me a lot," said Stella.

During imprisonment, Vilen received many letters, photographs and postcards from all over the world. His wife received also practical assistance. "Our friends proved to be a real protection during times of distress. Nothing stopped them from showing care, love and kindness," she says. "Fellow believers from the city where the penal colony is located became a great support. They took me into their home when I came to visit; every month they took food and medicine to the penal colony, their help is priceless".

In August 2024, the sentence of another defendant in this criminal case, Aleksandr Parkov, who is in penal colony No.10 in the Rostov Region, ends.