Biography
In July 2021, during a mass raid against believers in the Murmansk region, security forces invaded the apartment of Denis Merkulov and his wife Nataliya, breaking open the iron front door and knocking out a double-glazed window. Law enforcers seized bank cards and thereby deprived the family of their livelihood. The peaceful believer was accused of organizing extremist activities.
Denis was born in March 1976 in Kirovsk (Murmansk region). When he was 4 years old, the family moved to Apatity, where Denis lives to this day.
Denis grew up as an athletic child: he was engaged in running, swimming, skiing. Football has occupied a special place in his life since the age of 7. Denis often performed at regional, regional and international tournaments, dreamed of getting into the national team.
After school, Denis graduated from a vocational school and received an advanced diploma for good studies. For the last 15 years he worked as a welder at the Apatity TPP. Later he received an additional specialty as an electrical fitter for the repair and maintenance of electrical equipment.
“Since childhood, I have been bothered by questions about the meaning of life, about the inevitability of death, about the causes of evil and suffering on earth,” recalls Denis. He found the answers to them in the Bible. Since 1995, he has been leading a Christian lifestyle.
In 1998, Denis married Nataliya. She shares his views on life and, like her husband, leads an active lifestyle. The couple walk together a lot on foot and ride bicycles, travel when there is such an opportunity. Nataliya also loves to knit in her free time, and Denis — to play football, table tennis, chess, swim and cross-country and downhill skiing.
Criminal prosecution has become a great stress for the Merkulovs. They have elderly widowed mothers in their 70s and 80s who need help. The reputation of the couple as honest and law-abiding citizens has been seriously affected.