Vitalii Burik
Vitalii Burik, born 1971, Occupied territory of Republic of Crimea. Charges: Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an extremist organization); “Vitalii Burik's case”. Sentenced on May 12, 2026. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion, October 15, 2024.
In brief
Occupied territory of Republic of Crimea · Kerch · Manual workers · Extremism cases, Cases against Jehovah's Witnesses
Sentence
6 years
Ban on activity, Imprisonment (general regime)
First instance, February 19, 2026: 6 years
Charges
- Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he "coordinated meetings of adherents, where the ideas of a banned religious organisation were promoted".
Latest event
May 12, 2026 — appeal
The court changed the sentence to 6 years.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, October 15, 2024
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 6 years
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Recognised as unlawfully deprived of liberty for exercising freedom of religion
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Persecution begins
Vitalii Burik's case
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Vitalii Burik's case
- Case number
- 1-27/2026 (1-303/2025)
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Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Kerch, worked in a boiler room. On 9 October 2024, he was detained at work - in order to enter the production facility, the law enforcers cut a thick chain from the gate. After the detention, he was taken home to search his flat and two garages. After two days in the temporary detention centre Burik was placed under house arrest on the case of organising activities of an extremist organisation in connection with his involvement in the Jehovah's Witnesses community. Representatives of this community are prosecuted under extremist articles solely because of their religious activities: holding meetings and worship services and involving new supporters.
On 19 February 2026, the court sentenced Burik to six years in a general regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.2 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.