From Four to Six and a Half Years Suspended. Trial Concludes in Surgut Against Local Jehovah's Witnesses

On June 19, 2026, the Surgut City Court announced the verdict in one of two high-profile criminal cases against Jehovah's Witnesses in the city. Yuriy Khorikov, his son Roman, Valentina Alexeyeva, and Kirill Severinchik were found guilty under articles on "organizing" and "participating" in the activity of a banned organization. The proceedings against the believers lasted 7 years.

Judge Aleksey Koryakin imposed suspended sentences: Yuriy Khorikov — 6 years 6 months, Roman Khorikov — 6 years 4 months, Valentina Alexeyeva — 5 years, Kirill Severinchik — 4 years. In addition, the court ruled to collect a total of 990,244 rubles from the Khorikovs.

Roman Khorikov is 35, an auto mechanic. In the past, Roman performed alternative civilian service as a matter of conscience. In his final statement, he addressed the court: "I am glad that we were able to show all participants in the proceedings that we are not extremists or religious fanatics, but ordinary people with our own interests, dreams, and hopes, only with a strong faith in our God Jehovah."

Roman's father, Yuriy, 58, is a retired police officer who worked for many years in the economic security service of a bank. After the search, his situation at work changed drastically: "The bank's management started treating me with caution, even though I had a good reputation. Eventually, the head of security recommended that I resign, which I did without regret." In his final statement, he said: "There is no cruelty, no motives of religious hatred, intolerance, or enmity in our hearts."

Valentina Alexeyeva is the oldest of those convicted, at 67. Her adult son with a disability since childhood is in her care and requires constant attention. There is no one to care for him besides his mother.

Kirill Severinchik, 29, works as an elevator electromechanic. His father, Artur, was earlier convicted for his faith in the same city and also received a suspended sentence.

The criminal case was initiated in February 2019, following mass searches, during which 7 believers were subjected to torture. Kirill Severinchik was among those who were severely beaten.

The main evidence for the charges was the testimony of secret witness "Aleksey Mironov." According to him, in 2018, he himself began interacting with Jehovah's Witnesses — out of curiosity — and later turned to the FSB. At one hearing, Valentina Alexeyeva stated: "Mironov began studying the Bible on his own initiative; he came to my home without an invitation. On that basis, they are charging me with persuading (involving others) in the activity of a liquidated legal entity."

The indictment amounted to almost 5,000 pages — a volume comparable to a dozen full-length books. The hearings were held behind closed doors. The essence of the charges was that the investigators classified conversations about the Bible, joint prayers, and meetings for worship as extremist activity. At the same time, the case contains an expert study stating that the believers' words did not reveal "signs of inciting hatred, promoting superiority, or encouraging acts of violence."

In total, 27 believers in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area have faced persecution for their faith.