Biography
In September 2021, a court in Volgograd sentenced four civilians to real prison terms for their faith in Jehovah God. One of them is Sergey Melnik. In December 2025, he was released, having completely served his term.
Sergey was born in 1972 in Volgograd. He is the oldest child in a large family—he has 2 brothers and a sister. After school, the young man graduated from a vocational technical school as a driver-car mechanic. Later he mastered the professions of slinger and roofer. For some time, he worked in the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Penitentiary Service.
In 1993, Sergey married Anna, they had three sons. Before the criminal prosecution, the whole family loved to go hiking, go out into nature, and also go to football matches. Anna was the first in the family to become interested in the Bible. Sergey, seeing the beneficial effect of this book on her, also immersed himself in its study. Today he is convinced that the Bible is a source of divine wisdom and valuable advice for life.
After the arrest of her wife, Anna was left alone with many worries. In recent years, she did not work, taking care of the children and caring for her mother and disabled sister. Sergey was the only breadwinner and support of this large family.
Many Sergey's relatives don't share his religious views, but they are all outraged by his criminal prosecution.