One of Jehovah's Witnesses From Novosibirsk Served His Forced Labor and Released on Parole

The Novosibirsk Regional Court supported the petition of Dmitriy Dolzhikov's defense for parole—he was released on the same day, October 24, 2025. The believer is very glad that now he will be able to take care of his elderly mother, father with a disability and brother, who requires constant help for health reasons.

On June 30, 2023, the court of first instance found Dmitriy guilty of extremism for participating in Bible discussions and sentenced him to three years in a penal colony and a year of restriction of liberty, replacing the imprisonment with forced labor. More than two years later, Dmitriy applied for parole. The court refused, but Dmitriy did not give up and appealed this decision.

Once Dmitriy had his own small business of shoe repair, and he knows this job well. He was glad when the administration of the correctional center assigned him as a shoemaker of the 5th category at one of the enterprises in Novosibirsk. And later, the believer worked as a builder of the 3rd category to maintain the building.

"For good behavior, conscientious attitude to work and active participation in educational activities" Dmitriy received 10 awards. The administration described him: "He has established himself as a responsible, responsive, obliging employee who successfully copes with his duties. He executes all instructions without complaints, does not allow violations of labor discipline."

While serving his sentence, the believer faced difficulties. "You feel constant pressure . . . you never feel like an ordinary person," says Dmitriy about his stay in the correctional center.

Dmitriy Dolzhikov is one of 10 Jehovah's Witnesses sentenced to forced labor for their faith.