Biography
In July 2021, civil aviation pilot Aleksandr Starikov was searched and charged with extremism for discussing biblical thoughts via video link with friends. Already, unfair persecution prevented the believer from fully caring for his father, 95 at that moment, with progressive dementia.
Aleksandr was born in the city of Ivanovo (Ivanovo region) in April 1960. Together with his elder sister Galina, he grew up in the family of a military man and a school teacher. His mother died in 2008, and in 2009 his sister was gone.
Aleksandr was a versatile child: he played football and hockey, went in for swimming, learned to play musical instruments: accordion, piano and guitar.
After school, Aleksandr graduated from the civil aviation flight school. Then he continued his studies at the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation, after which he worked as a pilot on various types of aircraft.
In the 1990s, Aleksandr read a lot, the Bible attracted his attention. His acquaintance with Jehovah's Witnesses helped him find simple and understandable answers to vital questions in this book. In 1998 he became a Christian, and 5 years later his mother joined him.
Aleksandr was fond of studying English, but lately he had no time for a hobby. He was caring for his elderly father, who could not do without outside help—he could not see and hear well, and his brain disease was progressing. During the criminal prosecution, the elderly man passed away.
The believer was forced to travel to Tver 450 kilometers from home to conduct investigative actions and go to court. At one of the hearings, Aleksandr said: "Despite the difficulties, none of us has negative feelings, we are learning understanding and love."