Biography
Aleksandr Popras is a peaceful Christian, loving husband, father and grandfather. In June 2021, he was detained and sent to the detention centre. The believer was soon released, but he learned that a criminal case was opened against him under an “extremist” article only because of his belief in Jehovah God.
Aleksandr was born in June 1967 in Bratsk, Irkutsk Region. As a child, he loved to fish with his father and older brother, pick mushrooms and berries in the forest. After graduating from college and receiving an electrician diploma, Aleksandr went to the army, where he served as a signalman for 2 years. After the army, he worked as a driver, and since 2012 has been working at a service station.
In 1988, Aleksandr met Yelena, and a year later they got married. Aleksandr's wife is from Kyrgyzstan, where she spent her childhood and youth. Yelena received a medical degree, works as a radiologist. In the marriage, the couple had two children: first a daughter, and later a son. The children have grown up, and now Aleksandr and Yelena have four grandchildren. Severe Siberian frosts negatively affected the well-being of the wife, and in 2017 the family decided to move to the city of Gryazi, Lipetsk region.
When the children were still young, Yelena met Jehovah's Witnesses, who showed her the name of God in the Bible. Aleksandr also became interested in the Holy Scriptures. Although his parents were atheists, he wondered about the existence of God. With the help of the Bible, he came to the conclusion that life did not arise through evolution, but through creation. Subsequently, the daughter joined the parents in researching this ancient book.
After the searches in November 2020, the feeling of alarm did not leave Aleksandr. Although the son and elder brother did not share the views of the believer, they were outraged that he was searched and detained.