Biography
In 1994, following Bible teachings, Aflatun Safarov was able to overcome his addiction to gambling and smoking. He ended up behind bars 31 years later because of the same beliefs: he was charged with extremism as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Aflatun was born in February 1963 in the village of Ortagishlag (Azerbaijan) in a large family — he has four brothers and two sisters. The young man served his military service in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and remained there. He qualified as gas-electric welder and worked in his profession until his retirement.
In 1988, Aflatun married Lyubov, and 3 years later the couple began to study the Bible. He was especially moved by the hope of living forever, as he could not accept that death is the end.
In 2001, the family moved from Krasnoyarsk to live in Uyar, where more than 20 years later they faced criminal prosecution for their faith. Lyubov's chronic illnesses worsened after her husband was arrested. Relatives are worried about the Safarovs and wonder why these honest and kind people are called extremists.