Oleg Sirotkin
Oleg Sirotkin
On May 30, 2025, the Leninskiy District Court sentenced 60-year-old Oleg Sirotkin to a long prison term; he was taken into custody in the courtroom. This was based on the investigation deeming praying together and singing religious songs extremism. Oleg categorically disagrees with the charge, as he stated in his final statement.
Oleg Sirotkin, a chemical engineer by trade, moved to Tambov in 1997 for work and worked as a sales manager at a chemical plant until his arrest. He became one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 2007. He was prompted to do this, among other things, by the desire to help his wife, Natalya, raise her two daughters in an environment rooted in moral values. The prosecution of Sirotkin began in September 2021, when his family's home was searched. Then Oleg's movements were restricted, and later his car was arrested. Natalya, who has a disability after a major operation, found what was happening particularly hard. "Despite all the difficulties, she supports me and does not complain," the believer said about Natalya."After the search, my life turned upside down. But I refused to see myself as stripped of my rights," said Oleg Sirotkin. "So, I tried to live a normal life — to rejoice, to laugh." The support of family and friends, as well as caring for others, helped him maintain a positive attitude.
The trial lasted for 3 years. During this time, according to the defense, not a single piece of evidence of his guilt was presented. The only thing that the prosecution managed to establish was that Oleg belonged to the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.
"If a person is afraid, then he is practically already in prison. He has no joy, he has anxiety," Oleg said shortly before the verdict was announced. "The main thing is to be ready for any adversity and remember that we are innocent. It is an honor to take part in this. You should come to court not to justify yourself, but to defend the name of God."
Four other believers are under criminal prosecution in the Tambov Region.
