Suspended Sentences From 4 to 6.5 Years. Trial Against Local Jehovah's Witnesses in Surgut Concludes

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 Alekseyeva, and Kirill Severinchik were found guilty under articles on "organizing" and "participating" in the activity of a banned organization. The proceedings against the believers dragged on for 7 years.

Judge Aleksey Koryakin imposed suspended sentences: Yuriy Khorikov — 6.5 years, Roman Khorikov — 6 years and 4 months, Valentina Alekseyeva — 5 years and Kirill Severinchik — 4 years. In addition, the court ordered the Khorikovs to pay a total of 990,244 rubles.

Roman Khorikov, 35, is an auto mechanic. In the past, Roman completed alternative civilian service on consciencious grounds. 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 civil servant who worked for many years in the internal security department 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, a corporate security officer 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 Alekseyeva, 67, is the oldest of those convicted. She is caring for her son, who is severely disabled — since childhood — and requires constant attention. There is no one to care for him besides his mother.

Kirill Severinchik, 29, works as an electromechanic for elevators. 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 began interacting with Jehovah's Witnesses — out of curiosity — and later approached the FSB. At one hearing, Valentina Alekseyeva 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 — an amount comparable to a dozen full-length books. The hearings were held behind closed doors. The essence of the charges was that the investigators categorized 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 "any signs of inciting hatred, promoting superiority, or encouraging acts of violence."

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