Case History
In February 2019, after a series of searches in Surgut accompanied by torture and beatings, Yevgeniy Kozak became a subject of criminal prosecution for his faith. He was charged with participating in the activity of an extremist organization and financing its activity. Later, as part of the criminal case, law enforcement officers conducted several more searches of the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The case against Kozak and the case against 18 other believers were separated into individual proceedings. In July 2023, Valentina Alekseyeva and Kirill Severinchik were also charged under the article for participating in the activity of an extremist organization, while Yuriy and Roman Khorikov were charged with organizing its activity and financing it. In February 2025, the case went to court; hearings are held in closed session. In June 2026, the court sentenced all defendants to suspended sentences: 6.5 years for Yuriy Khorikov, 6 years and 4 months for Roman Khorikov, 5 years for Valentina Alekseyeva, and 4 years for Kirill Severinchik.