“I Know Why I Am Being Persecuted”

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On February 28, 2025, the Poronaysk City Court of the Sakhalin Region convicted Brother Daler Tokhtayev and sentenced him to six years in prison. He remains in custody.

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Daler Tokhtayev

Born: 1990 (Tajikistan)

Baptized: 2008

Background: Worked as welder. Married Zhanna in 2012

Charged with: Organizing and conducting religious meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses via videoconference and discussing the Bible

Spent almost 11 months in pretrial detention prior to being sentenced to prison

Sentence: Six years in prison

Comments From Daler’s Final Statement in Court a

I have never hidden the fact that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I am proud of it. My religion teaches me to do only good things, and applying Bible principles helps me in all areas of life. While in detention, I came across many different people—murderers, thieves, swindlers. They would ask me: “Why are you in jail?” They were always surprised when I explained that it was for my faith. But this is not surprising to me. I know why I am being persecuted. Jesus said: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20) If Jesus was able to endure his trials, I know that I can as well. Being behind bars has not broken my faith. On the contrary, it has made it even stronger. I have seen God’s care more clearly. He always answers my prayers and has given me peace in my heart.

While we are saddened that Daler and his family will remain separated during his prison sentence, we are confident that Jehovah, “the God of love and of peace,” will continue to sustain them.—2 Corinthians 13:11.

a Personal comments from Daler were not available during the preparation of this article.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

“I Know Why I Am Being Persecuted”

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