“We Faced All These Events with a Smile on Our Faces” — Dmitriy Zagulin Released from Penal Colony in Blagoveshchensk

On March 27, 2026, Dmitriy Zagulin, Jehovah's Witness, was released from custody. He and three fellow believers had been convicted for participating in meetings for worship — actions that investigators equated with "organizing the activity of an extremist organization." In total, Dmitriy spent 1,191 days behind bars.

Dmitriy had worked many years for Russian Railways. The management valued him and repeatedly awarded him for his conscientious work. In May 2018, "judgement day" came for Zagulin and his fellow believers — this was the name of the special operation of large‑scale searches in homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birobidzhan. A criminal case was initiated against Dmitriy 10 months later.

The investigation brought additional hardships: he was placed on the Rosfinmonitoring list, his bank accounts were frozen, and in November 2021 he was dismissed from his job. In December 2022, Zagulin was sentenced to 3.5 years in a penal colony and taken into custody directly in the courtroom. "We faced all these events with a smile on our faces, understanding that we were not being judged as thieves or murderers, but that we were suffering for God's name," he said, describing that period of his life.

Dmitriy served his sentence in Blagoveshchensk, in penal colony No. 8. Although communication with the outside world was limited to visits and occasional letters, his optimistic outlook helped him endure imprisonment. "If you start feeling sorry for yourself, it becomes unbearable," he noted. Instead, he adapted to the new circumstances: "If you're just 'doing time,' you suffer; but if you 'live,' then everything is fine." For example, Dmitriy maintained a strict daily routine: he tried to wake up according to Birobidzhan time (4 a.m. local time), exercised regularly, and spent weekends in the library.

Prosecution for his faith did not end with his release. By the court decision, Dmitriy was placed under administrative supervision. For the next 8 years, he will have to report to the police 4 times a month; he is prohibited from leaving Birobidzhan, from being outside his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and from visiting cafés and restaurants.

Dmitriy says he feels "wonderful" now and is happy to be reunited with his family and friends. "I'm overwhelmed with emotion," he said. "I have so many plans. For example, I'd like to treat myself — I haven't had ice cream in a long time. I'd like to meet with friends, sit down, talk, encourage one another. There are truly so many plans — I don't even know where to start."