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.

Syrykh Vitaly Yuryevich

Date of birth: July 2, 1971 (55 years old)
citizenship: Россия
City of residence: Kaltan
Occupation: рабочие профессии
Article of the Criminal Code:  282.2 ч. 1
Pursuit stage:  verdict delivered – appeal pending
Sentence:  6 лет лишения свободы в колонии общего режима, 1 год ограничения свободы
Date of sentencing:  October 15, 2026
Current location:  FKU LIU-42 GUFSIN Rossii po Kemerovskoy oblasti ; facility operating under a pre-trial detention regime

Syrykh Vitaly Yuryevich was born on July 2, 1971, lives in the city of Kaltan in Kemerovo Oblast, and is a miner. He was charged under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code in connection with his membership in a community of Jehovah's Witnesses, who are banned in Russia.

He was detained on May 2, 2021. On May 4, 2021, Judge Yevgeny Vanyushin of the Kaltan District Court placed him under house arrest, and on May 25, 2021, he was released on a written undertaking not to leave the area. In September 2022, the case was dropped.

In December 2024, he was charged under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code (organizing the activity of an extremist organization). In October 2026, he was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony and taken into custody.

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

Новости по теме

19 Oct, 2026 | 1:31

Forced labour for a 100-rouble transfer and six years for ‘teaching religion’