Yesterday, May 23, Judge Oleg Shishov of the 2nd Western District Military Court, during an off-site session at the Ryazan Garrison Military Court, sentenced 37-year-old Ruslan Siddiqui to 29 years in a high-security penal colony, as reported by a Mediazona correspondent from the courtroom.
Siddiqui will serve the first 9 years in prison, after which he will be transferred to a strict-regime colony. The total sentence was the result of cumulative charges under five articles of the Criminal Code. Siddiqui was also fined 2 million rubles (21500 euros).
The court also upheld civil lawsuits filed by victims:
• Alexander Bogatyrev, a KamAZ driver who ran over one of Siddiqui’s abandoned drones, will receive 250,000 rubles (2690 euros).
• Dmitry Unshakov, a train engineer whose train derailed after an explosion, will receive 300,000 rubles (3230 euros).
• Sergey Tarabukin, the assistant engineer, will receive 350,000 rubles (3760 euros).
Additional compensations ordered:
• Russian Railways (RZhD): 3.6 million rubles (38700 euros)
• Rosagrotrans: 13.2 million rubles (141900 euros)
• A fertilizer company whose cargo was on the derailed train: 38.1 million rubles (410000 euros)
In his final remarks, Siddiqui once again stated he was tortured following his arrest and clarified that his goal was to disable Russian military infrastructure.
Prosecutor Boris Matorin a sentence of 30 years in a strict-regime colony.
The prosecution accused Siddiqui of orchestrating a train explosion and an attack on a military airfield near Ryazan, allegedly on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence services — charges that Siddiqui did not deny. However, the prosecution also claimed that he had traveled to Turkey and Latvia for terrorist training and was preparing a third attack. Siddiqui denied this, saying he learned nothing new during his encounters in Turkey and Latvia, and had no plans for further bombings due to being in depression over the death of his grandmother.
Defense Arguments
Lawyer Igor Popovsky requested the court:
• Drop the terrorism training charge,
• Reclassify the airfield and train incidents from terrorism to sabotage, and
• Dismiss the charge related to the preparation of a new bombing due to lack of evidence.
The defense also argued that Siddiqui should be recognized as a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention of 1949, which applies this status to members of organized resistance operating in enemy territory.
Siddiqui’s Final Statement in Court
“I regret that my actions endangered [Alexander] Bogatyrev, [Sergey] Tarabukin, and [Dmitry] Unshakov. They were not my targets, and I’m glad no serious harm came to them.
My aim was the Russian military equipment and the logistical chains used to transport it and fuel. I wanted to complicate combat operations against Ukraine.
Of course, any explosion or news of sabotage can frighten people. But so can missile flyovers and the beginning of military operations — they are meant to terrify civilian populations too.
I have repeatedly stated that I had no intent to deliberately intimidate anyone. I chose my targets myself. I attacked the military aircraft parking area to destroy warplanes. I bombed the railway line to disable it, after confirming military transport was using it.
I made sure no passenger trains ran on the track I sabotaged and maintained visual contact to confirm this. If I didn’t care about human life, I could’ve derailed a train without being physically present.
I had nothing to do with the alleged attempt to create a new explosive device or blow up another train. After the November 11, 2023 explosion, I knew security would tighten. Plus, I had many personal issues.
I have no ill will toward the people of Russia. I do have disagreements over events since [20]14, but that's no reason to hate anyone.
When peaceful means to influence government decisions are unavailable, and dissent is criminalized, some people will emigrate, while others will act.
Regardless of the severity of the crime, torture during interrogation is unacceptable in a lawful state. To electrocute and beat a restrained person is despicable. Responsibility lies not only with those who commit such acts but also with those who know and do nothing.
And finally, I will read a stanza by Nestor Makhno:
Though now they lay us in the ground,
Our truth will not be swept away.
It will arise when time comes round,
And win — I do believe that day.
Address for Letters:
Sidiki Ruslan Kasemovich, born 1988
Pervomaisky Prospekt, 27, SIZO-1
390013, Ryazan, Russia
Letters can be sent via “F-pismo” and PrisonMail.Online (second option supports international cards).
Note that letters should be written in Russian language – you may use online translation tools for that.
Funds for Ruslan Siddiqui are raised by Solidarity Zone.
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