Court in Tambov Sentenced Oleg Sirotkin to 6 Years in Prison

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. The reason was collective prayers and the singing of religious songs, which the investigation considered a manifestation of extremism. Oleg himself categorically disagrees with the accusation, as he stated in his final statement.

Oleg Sirotkin, a chemist-technologist by education, moved to Tambov in 1997 for work and worked as a sales manager at a chemical plant before 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 a highly moral environment. The persecution of Sirotkin began in September 2021, when his family's home was searched. Then Oleg was restricted in movement, and later his car was arrested. Natalya, who has a group III disability after a major operation, suffered especially hard from what was happening. "Despite all the difficulties, she supports me and does not complain," the believer said about Natalya.

"After the search, my world was divided. But I didn't want to feel affected by 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 three years. During this time, according to the defense, not a single piece of evidence of 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 trials and remember that we are innocent. It is an honor to participate in such events. You should come to court not to make excuses, but to defend the name of God."

Four other believers are under criminal prosecution in the Tambov region.