Vilen Avanesov, Convicted of Believing in Jehovah God, Was Released After Almost Five Years Behind Bars

On February 9, 2024, Vilen Avanesov was released from Penal colony No. 3 in Dimitrovgrad, having served his sentence imposed by the court. For talking about God with friends at home, the elderly believer spent 2.5 years in a pre-trial detention center and more than 2 years in a penal colony.

In the penal colony, Vilen served his sentence together with his son Arsen, who will have to spend another year in prison. Both were involved in the sewing industry. For their hard work, they received several rewards. Largely due to Vilen's philanthropy, he developed friendly relations with his cellmates and the administration. "He was respected in the pre-trial detention center, respected in the colony," said Vilen's wife, Stella.

The most difficult thing for Vilen was the separation from loved ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the believer could not see his wife for a year and a half. "He always tried to maintain a positive attitude, to look cheerful, and this comforted me a lot," said Stella.

In prison, Vilen received many letters, photographs and postcards from all over the world. His wife was also provided with practical assistance. "Our friends proved to be a real protection during the disaster. Nothing stopped them from showing care, love and kindness," she says. "Fellow believers from the city where the penal colony is located have become a great support. They received me at home when I came on visits, every month they handed over food and medicine to the penal colony, their help is invaluable".

In August 2024, the sentence of another defendant in this criminal case, Aleksandr Parkov, who is in Penal colony No. 10 in the Rostov region, expires.