Syrykh Vitaliy

Name: Syrykh Vitaliy Yuriyevich
Date of Birth: July 2, 1971
Current status: convicted person
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (1)
Time spent in prison: 2 day in a temporary detention facility, 6 day in a pre-trial detention, 16 day Under house arrest
Current restrictions: detention center
Sentence: a sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment to be served in a general regime penal colony, with a 5-year ban on engaging in activities related to leading and participating in the work of public and religious organizations, and a 1-year restriction of freedom
Currently held in: Pre-Trial Detention Facility at the Medical Correctional Institution № 42, Kemerovo Region

Syrykh Vitaliy Yuriyevich, born 1971, Pre-Trial Detention Facility at the Medical Correctional Institution № 42, Kemerovo Region, Ul. Severnaya Promzona, 15, Leninsk-Kuznetskiy, Kemerovo Region, 652523

Letters of support can be sent by regular mail or through the ZT system.

Note: discussing topics related to criminal prosecution is not allowed in letters; languages other than Russian will not pass.

Biography

The city of Kaltan has become another hotbed of religious persecution of peaceful believers. In early May 2021, local residents were searched with the participation of riot police, FSB officers and the Center for Countering Extremism. Vitaliy Syrykh was taken away for interrogation 250 km from his home, placed in a temporary detention facility, and then placed under house arrest.

Vitaliy was born in 1971 in Novokuznetsk (Kemerovo region). He has a younger brother. Their father was a miner, their mother worked in a furniture factory. Parents have been dead for a long time. As a child, Vitaliy was fond of sports, especially football.

After school, Vitaliy studied at an institution of secondary vocational education as an underground electrical fitter, he worked at a mine.

In 1990, Vitaliy married Nadezhda, with whom two children were born. Nadezhda works as a hairdresser. A married couple loves to spend time together at home. In 2008, the couple moved to Kaltan.

In the Bible, Vitaliy was attracted by the hope of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life on a paradise earth. He was also struck by the fact that God has a personal name, and of course, the good behavior of his spouse, which changed for the better under the influence of biblical norms and principles, did not go unnoticed for him. All this prompted him to become a Christian in 1997.

The criminal prosecution caused a lot of stress on the family. Vitaliy's health deteriorated and he had to quit his job. Relatives are outraged by the unjustified criminal persecution of this peaceful person.

Case History

In May 2021, searches involving the FSB took place in Kaltan. The Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case for participating in the activity of an extremist organization against the peaceful believer Vitaliy Syrykh. He was detained, interrogated, and placed under house arrest. Shortly after his preventive measure was changed to a recognizance agreement. In September 2022, the case was dismissed, but in December 2024, Syrykh was charged again — this time with organizing the activity of an extremist organization. In August 2025, the case went to court, and more than a year later, the believer was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony.
Timeline
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