Case of Kozak and others in Surgut Roman Khorikov

  RUSSIA

Case of Kozak and others in Surgut

Roman Khorikov

Updated: October 3, 2023

Name: Khorikov, Roman Yuriyevich

Date of Birth: June 17, 1988

Current status: accused

Article of the Russian Criminal Code: 282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)

Biography

Roman Khorikov, a peaceful resident of Surgut, along with his father, Yuri, found himself involved in a criminal case for his faith. Law enforcement officers considered the man’s beliefs to be extremism and in 2023 they charged him with criminal charges.

Roman was born in June 1988 in Surgut. As a child, Roman was interested in aviation, modeling from cardboard, plastic and other materials, and also loved to play football. He has a younger sister.

After school, Roman graduated from the Surgut Oil College, where he received a degree in auto mechanics. He worked as a sales manager for special equipment spare parts, as a mechanic, and most recently as a motor mechanic.

From childhood, Roman’s parents instilled in him a love of God and biblical moral standards. Using the example of Jehovah's Witnesses, he saw what true love, friendship and sincere communication are. In 2009, Roman took the Christian path. Peace-loving beliefs did not allow him to take up arms and learn to fight, so he completed alternative civilian service in the Republic of Khakassia.

In 2020, Roman married Filia. She shares his views on life. Filia works as a graphic designer and makes jewelry. The couple love to play table tennis together, travel, and go outdoors. Roman is still passionate about aviation: he collects scale models of airplanes, periodically flies airplanes in an aviation club, and has an ultralight pilot’s license. He also collects coins and plays the guitar.

Roman said: “For about 3 years before the charges were filed, I lived in stress and nervous tension, because I knew that my name appeared in a criminal case. Living in anticipation of a search, I did not feel safe in my own home.” Due to stress, the believer developed serious diseases related to the immune system and developed insomnia.

The Khorikovs' relatives cannot fully believe that civilians can be accused of extremism.

Brief history of the case 

In February 2019, after a series of searches in Surgut, accompanied by torture and beatings, Evgeniy Kozak became a defendant in a criminal case for his faith. He was accused of participating in and financing the activities of an extremist organization. Later, as part of the criminal case, law enforcement officers conducted several more searches in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses. In July 2023, Valentina Alekseeva and Kirill Severinchik were also charged with participation in the activities of a banned community, and Yuri and Roman Khorikov were accused of organizing its activities and financing.

Criminal case

Region:

Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area

Locality:

Surgut

What is suspected:

“gave speeches, participated in field service with local Jehovah’s Witnesses, held meetings with “pioneers”, “elders” and “ministerial servants”, including for the purpose of organizing the activities of the “elders” in the “congregation” “Vzletnoe” "

Criminal case number:

11902711017027628

Initiated:

February 11, 2019

Current stage of the case:

preliminary investigation

Investigates:

Investigative Department for the city of Surgut Investigative Directorate of the Russian Federation for the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1), 282.3 (1)