All assessments of the criminal prosecution of specific individuals, including the designation of detained persons as political prisoners, reflect the position of our Project. Such assessments are not based on the views and assessments of the individuals being prosecuted, their families, friends or lawyers, and do not imply their consent or approval. The information regarding the facts of specific criminal cases published on our Project’s website has been obtained from public sources and does not imply or require the consent of the individuals mentioned therein or their representatives.

Burik Vitaly Anatolievich

Date of birth: October 7, 1971 (54 years old)
citizenship: Украина; Россия
City of residence: Керчь
Occupation: рабочие профессии
Article of the Criminal Code:  282.2 ч. 1
Form of repression:  pre-trial detention
Pursuit stage:  verdict delivered – appeal pending
Date of arrest:  October 9, 2024
Sentence:  6 лет лишения свободы в колонии общего режима, 1 год ограничения свободы
Date of sentencing:  February 19, 2026
Current location:  Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol

Burik Vitaly Anatolievich, born October 7, 1971,a native of Ukraine. He lives in the Crimean city of Kerch, works at a boiler house, is married, and is raising a daughter with a disability.

On February 19, 2026, he was sentenced under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Organisation of the activities of an extremist organisation") to 6 years’ imprisonment in connection with his membership in a community of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which is banned in Russia but not in Ukraine.

He was detained on October 9, 2024, and placed under house arrest on October 11, 2024. He was taken into custody after the verdict was announced on February 19, 2026.

  • List of Jehovah’s Witnesses Facing Prosecution (updated)