Biography
The quiet life of the large family of Maksim Beltikov from the Krasnodar Territory changed overnight when they were searched in April 2020. In January 2022, a peaceful family man was sentenced to 2 years in prison just because of his faith.
Maksim was born in October 1980 in Baltiysk (Kaliningrad region). Mother worked all her life at the bakery, received the title of "veteran of labor", is currently retired.
As a child, Maksim was fond of folk music, played in an orchestra of folk instruments. He liked to gather mushrooms and fish. He lived in different cities: Baltiysk, Klaipeda (Lithuania), Liepaja (Latvia), and in 1993 he moved to the village of Pavlovskaya to take care of his sick grandfather.
Maksim began to work early, already while studying in the senior classes of the evening school. In parallel, he received two professions—a driver of category B and C and a bricklayer. From the age of 22 he worked as a driver, but after an eye injury he changed his position and worked as a labor protection specialist. In his free time, he likes to make wooden handicrafts with her own hands, and enjoys gardening.
Maksim became interested in Bible teachings in his youth when his cousin first taught him about God. He was impressed to learn that God has a personal name, Jehovah. He was also struck by the fact that everything written in the Bible is fulfilled, and also applicable in life. Love for God and deep respect for this ancient book prompted him to become a Christian.
Maksim has known his future wife Mariya since childhood. They got married in May 2005. Mariya works in the field of social protection of the population, helping older people not to feel lonely. She loves to rearrange and repair the house. There are three sons in the family. When time and money permit, the Beltikovs love to travel.
The criminal prosecution, because of which the whole family experienced stress, affected both Maksim’s health and the well-being of his mother. She worries about the injustice that happened to her son. Relatives try to support Maksim as best they can.