Served Sentences

Maksim Beltikov, Prisoner of Conscience and Father of Three, Was Released From Penal Colony in Khadyzhensk

Krasnodar Territory

On September 15, 2023, Maksim Beltikov was released from penal colony No. 9 in the Krasnodar Territory, having fully served his 2-year sentence for his faith in Jehovah God. He was met by his family and many friends.

The criminal case against Beltikov was initiated in June 2020 after the FSB raided the homes of believers in several villages in the Krasnodar Territory. The believer was taken into custody in the courtroom immediately after the verdict was announced in January 2022. He spent 8 months in a pretrial detention center and 1 year in a correctional facility.

Mariya Beltikova and her three sons waiting for Maksim's release
Mariya Beltikova and her three sons waiting for Maksim's release
Maksim Beltikov leaving the penal colony
Maksim Beltikov leaving the penal colony
The believer hugging his youngest son
The believer hugging his youngest son
Joyous meetting with his wife and older sons
Joyous meetting with his wife and older sons
Maksim Beltikov wiping tears from his youngest son's face
Maksim Beltikov wiping tears from his youngest son's face
Family and friends of the Beltikovs meeting Maksim
Family and friends of the Beltikovs meeting Maksim

The believer served part of the sentence under strict detention conditions. According to his lawyer, despite the difficulties, including gradually weakening eyesight, he never complained. Hundreds of letters of support, along with other things, helped him cope.

Six more Jehovah's Witnesses from the Krasnodar Territory continue to serve sentences for their faith in penal colonies. Among them is Lyudmila Shchekoldina, whose sentence ends in April 2026.

The Case of Beltikov in Pavlovskaya

Case History
Maksim Beltikov, a labor protection specialist, an exemplary family man and father of three, was charged with extremism. In April 2020, the believer’s home was searched, and in June, FSB investigator Lieutenant M. Loi initiated a criminal case against the man on suspicion of participating in the activity of an extremist organization. The investigation deemed that the believer, “being aware of the criminal nature and public danger of his actions,” fulfilled “the role of a preacher.” Maksim was placed under a recognizance agreement. In January 2021, the trial began. During the proceedings, it was revealed that the transcript of Beltikov’s conversation with the main witness for the prosecution, Ilchenko, was falsified. In January 2022, the court found Beltikov guilty and sentenced him to 2 years in a penal colony with restriction of freedom for 1 year. The court of appeal court upheld the verdict. In August 2023, the court extended the restriction of freedom for another 3 years.
Timeline

Persons in case

Beltikov
Maksim

Criminal case

Region:
Krasnodar Territory
Locality:
Pavlovskaya
Suspected of:
"participated in religious teaching, during which... he conducted and listened to lectures based on religious literature, entered into conversations and religious discussions, participated in collective discussions of the content of religious books" (from the decision to initiate a criminal case)
Court case number:
12007030001000072
Initiated:
June 23, 2020
Current case stage:
the verdict entered into force
Investigating:
Investigative Department of the FSB Directorate for the Krasnodar Territory
Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation:
282.2 (2)
Court case number:
1-10/2022 (1-49/2021)
Court:
Pavlovskiy District Court for the Krasnodar Territory
Judge:
Andrey Mynochka
Case History
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