Court in Izhevsk Sentenced Two Jehovah's Witnesses, Both 74, to Penal Colony for 3 Years

Valeriy Knyazev and Indus Talipov became the oldest of those imprisoned for their faith in Jehovah God — on November 12, 2025, Judge Rustam Tagirov found them guilty of organizing the activity of an extremist organization and sentenced them to 3 years in a penal colony. The pensioners were taken into custody in the courtroom.

Valeriy Knyazev is a veteran of labor with 29 years experience in the fire brigade. In the late 1990s, he served as deputy chief, and was awarded three medals, including "For Impeccable Service". The criminal prosecution — surveillance, three searches, 24 hours in a temporary detention facility, summons to the Investigative Committee and participating in court hearings — affected Valeriy Knyazev's health. He was admitted to the hospital for 1 week in the cardiology department. Recalling his pretrial detention, Valeriy noted: "I was grateful to my fellow believers for their help, as I felt depressed at the time and had high blood pressure."

The Knyazevs have been married for 52 years. Valeriy's wife Galina, who is disabled, said in court: "My husband has necrosis of the knee, but he helps me, supports me constantly, goes to the store, does all the physical work."

Indus Talipov worked as a blacksmith for almost 20 years. The court interrogated his ex-wife as a witness. She described him as a caring and sympathetic person: "The neighbors really love Indus. And when I was [recently] in hospital, he was always there, brought food, and took care of me." Before the verdict was passed, the believer was waiting for an operation to replace his knee joint but missed out due to detention. He would be able to walk without pain only with the aid of an expensive orthopedic brace, but it is not yet clear how he could get it while being in prison.

A criminal case against the believers was initiated in June 2024. The trial in the Pervomayskiy District Court of Izhevsk lasted 11 months. The charge was based the testimony of a secret witness. The materials against Aleksandr Stefanidin, the third defendant in the case, has been suspended.

In Udmurtia, 10 Jehovah's Witnesses have already been prosecuted. Law enforcement officers initiate criminal cases against believers despite their advanced age, serious illnesses and contributions to society. Among them Yevgeniy Stefanidin, a disabled person with cancer, and Aleksandr Kutin, a highly qualified gas and arc welder, who serviced oxygen systems in hospitals during the pandemic.