Updated: April 19, 2024
Name: Spivak Vladimir Vladimirovich
Date of Birth: October 21, 1955
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)
Sentence: penalty in the form of a fine in the amount of 600,000 rubles

Biography

On April 11, 2020, the usual way of life of Vladimir Spivak's family was violated. Security forces broke into his house with a search. They were not hindered by the regime of self-isolation, nor by the considerable age of the believer, nor by the illness of his wife.

Vladimir was born on October 21, 1955 in the urban-type settlement of Litin, Vinnytsia region (Ukraine). Since childhood, he was fond of sports, especially football. After school, Vladimir received the specialty of an electrician. He devoted the rest of his life to military affairs: he served in military service, graduated from the school of warrant officers, served in the missile forces in the Chita region.

Vladimir met his future wife Nelly on vacation, and in 1979 they got married. In 1983, the couple moved to the city of Teikovo, Ivanovo region.

In the 90s, Nelly began to be interested in the Bible. After a while, Vladimir, reading the Bible, realized that he had found the truth. Striving for a peaceful life, he retired from the armed forces and became one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Vladimir faced his first persecution for his faith in 2015-2017. The investigator opened 4 administrative cases and planned a criminal one, but it was not possible to convict the believer. Today, Vladimir is again accused of his religion, calling him an "extremist."

Vladimir's unfair persecution takes a toll on his wife's physical and emotional health, especially given that she underwent surgery. As a result of stress, Nelly's chronic diseases worsened. Relatives and friends worry about Vladimir's family and support the spouses in every possible way.

Case History

In April 2020, security forces raided the apartments of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the town of Teikov. A day earlier, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case for organizing the activities of an extremist organization against Vladimir Spivak, Aleksandr Vasichkin, Sergey Galyamin and Anatoliy Lyamo. All believers were given a written undertaking not to leave the place. A year later, the investigator charged Lyamo with another article, this time of financing the activities of an extremist organization. In August 2021, charges were added to Aleksandr Vasichkin of participating in the activities of an extremist organization. The prosecution was based on the testimony of two secret witnesses. In January 2023, the case of the believers went to court. In February 2024, the judge sentenced the believers to big fines: Spivak — 600,000, Sergey Galyamin — 650,000, Aleksandr Vasichkin and Anatoliy Lyamo — 1,100,000 rubles each.