Additional Name(s): Rustam Ataevich Seidkuliev, Сеидкулиев Рустам Атаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 2 Years, 4 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/20/2021

Date of Sentencing: May/20/2021

Date of Release: April/7/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Rustam Seidkuliev

Extra Bio Info:

Rustam Seidkuliev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On February 15, 2020, the Adler police detained Seidkuliev.

On February 22, 2020, the Leninsky District Court of Saratov replaced Seidkuliev's pretrial detention with house arrest.

On September 25, 2020, Seidkuliev's house arrest was lifted.

On May 20, 2021, the Leninskiy District Court of Saratov sentenced Seidkuliev to two years and six months in prison for “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). Prosecutors accused him of attending worship services and talking about God with others. Seidkuliev was taken into custody following the verdict.

On August 5, 2021, the Saratov Regional Court reduced Seidkuliev's sentence by two months, making it two years and four months in prison.

On April 7, 2023, Seidkuliev was released from prison after completing his sentence.

On June 19, 2023, authorities detained Seidkuliev again after a decision was made to revoke his Russian citizenship and deport him. He was placed in a temporary detention center for foreign citizens

On September 17, 2023, the Federal Migration Service deported Seidkuliev to Turkmenistan.

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