Biography
Irina Gezik, together with her husband, Anatoliy, became a defendant in a criminal case for extremism in December 2019. In November 2022, the court found her guilty and gave her suspended sentence of 4 years and 2 months just because of her faith.
Irina was born in 1972 in Georgievsk. She has an older sister. As a child, Irina was fond of basketball and loved to knit. After school, she graduated from a vocational college as a seamstress.
In 1997 Irina married Anatoliy. They worked at the same reinforcement plant. Irina also helped caring for her husband's mother.
In 1998, Anatoliy became interested in the Bible, and seeing a change for the better in her husband's lifestyle and habits, in 2008 Irina decided to join him. As she studied the Bible, she saw that God is tender and loving, and that he teaches people to show the same qualities.
The criminal prosecution caused serious stress to Irina and Anatoliy. Neighbors, friends and Irina's sister help the couple and support them during these trials.
Case History
At the end of 2019, searches were carried out at the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Georgievsk. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation accused Viktor Zimovskiy, as well as spouses Anatoliy and Irina Gezik, of organizing the activity of an extremist organization and participating in it. The investigator considered it a crime to read the Bible and pray together. Zimovskiy is the father of three minor children, after heart surgery he is on disability. Despite this, the court placed him in a pre-trial detention center for 2 months. The criminal case was considered in court from February to October 2022. As a result, Zimovskiy was sentenced to 6 years and 2 months in prison, Anatoliy Gezik was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months of forced labor, and Irina Gezik received 4 years and 2 months suspended sentence. The appeal replaced the term in the penal colony and forced labor with suspended sentences of the same duration. In August 2024, the court canceled Irina Gezik’s suspended sentence and vacated her criminal record.
