Two Jehovah’s Witnesses, Eduard Sviridov and Dmitriy Zagulin, have been released from Russian prison colonies after serving lengthy sentences.
When combined, Sviridov and Zagulin served sentences that amounted to a decade of imprisonment.
Eduard Sviridov Released
On April 2, 2026, Eduard Sviridov walked free after completing a sentence of six years and six months.
Convicted on December 22, 2023, he had already spent more than three years and nine months in pretrial detention, which counted toward his sentence.
During his imprisonment, Eduard was transferred between several facilities. His wife, Yelena, reflected on his resilience:
“Every time Eduard was transferred, what helped him to endure was the thought that he was being given an opportunity to develop patience and humility.
“But no matter where he was, he did all he could to get along well with those around him.”
One fellow inmate even described Eduard as “like a father,” underscoring the positive influence he maintained despite harsh conditions.
Dmitriy Zagulin Released
Just days earlier, on March 27, 2026, Dmitriy Zagulin was released after serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence handed down on December 19, 2022.
His time in pretrial detention also counted toward completion of the sentence.
Before sentencing, Dmitriy drew strength from the Bible, citing Psalm 23:4:
“Though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear no harm, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.”
He described feeling the presence of his creator, Jehovah, throughout the ordeal, from initial searches to the judicial process, and credited his faith with sustaining him.
Broader Context for Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced increasing persecution in Russia since the faith was banned in 2017 as “extremist.”
Hundreds have been detained, fined, or imprisoned under charges linked to their religious activities.
International human rights groups have repeatedly condemned these actions, calling them violations of freedom of religion and belief.
The release of Sviridov and Zagulin is welcomed by their families and fellow believers, who view their endurance as a testament to faith under trial.
Yet, the broader crackdown on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia continues to raise global concern.
After years of hardship, Eduard Sviridov and Dmitriy Zagulin have been reunited with their families.
Their stories highlight both the resilience of faith under persecution and the ongoing challenges faced by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
