Tuesday May 13, a panel of judges from the 2nd Western District Military Court began substantive hearings in Ryazan in the case against anarchist Ruslan Sidiki, who is charged under "terrorism" articles for two attacks on military infrastructure
Ruslan Sidiki was brought into the courtroom in shackles, which were not removed even inside the defendant’s cage. There were 10 bailiffs present in the room, some of them armed with rifles. As one attendee noted: "The level of security was like the Kremlin." Prosecutor Boris Motorin requested that the trial be held behind closed doors, claiming that it would include “methods of conducting terrorist activities” and details about the Dyagilevo military airbase, which Sidiki allegedly attempted to attack. He also argued that investigative techniques might be disclosed. However, defense attorney Igor Popovsky and Sidiki himself objected, stating that the case materials contain no state secrets. Judge Oleg Shishov denied the prosecutor’s request but banned photo, video, and audio recordings.
During the first hearing:
-The prosecutor read out the charges.
-Four representatives of the victims were questioned.
-Part of the written case materials was read.
The Trial of Ruslan Sidiki — Day 2, May 14
The hearing ran from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with a break for lunch. The prosecutor read out written case materials, and three witnesses were questioned. Two of them were local residents who could not provide any significant testimony.
The third witness was O.V. Melnikov, a representative of the military unit at the Dyagilevo airbase. He stated that there was no damage from the explosion of the quadcopter that Sidiki launched. The drone fell on an aircraft parking area, but at that moment there were no aircraft present. The nearest plane was located several hundred meters away from the explosion site.
Reminder: Ruslan Sidiki acknowledges that he attempted to damage bomber aircraft that are used to attack Ukraine, but he does not consider his actions an act of terrorism. In a letter published by Mediazona, he wrote the following about his motivations:
"The roar of Tu-22s and Tu-95s outside my window coincided with strikes on Ukraine, and that determined my choice of target: the Dyagilevo military airbase, just ten kilometers from home. I lived with my 80-year-old grandmother and understood how hard it is for the elderly and the sick to go without heat and light in the winter. While filling the bathtub with hot water, I thought about those, a thousand kilometers away, who were deprived of basic conditions because of geopolitical ambitions. And yet they talk about 'brotherly nations' and say that 'Russia doesn’t fight civilians'."
Read the English translation of letter of Ruslan in Avtonom.
The Trial of Ruslan Sidiki — Day 3, May 15
Court session included witness testimony from Ruslan’s childhood friends and three local residents. Additionally, Prosecutor Boris Motorin completed the reading of the case materials.
Ruslan Sidiki was arrested in late November 2023 on suspicion of sabotaging railway tracks, which led to 19 freight train cars derailing. Later, charges were expanded to include A drone attack on the Dyagilevo airbase in summer 2023, and Preparation for another sabotage action on the railway.
Sidiki admits to the railway sabotage and sending drones with explosives to the military airbase but does not consider these acts terrorism. He emphasizes that he planned the actions to avoid harming people, with the aim of damaging military infrastructure only.
In late August 2024, Sidiki publicly reported that he had been tortured during his arrest and filed a criminal complaint with the Investigative Committee. No action has been taken by the authorities so far, despite legal obligations.
Address for letters: 390013, Ryazan, Pervomaiskii pr-t, 27, SIZO-1, Sidiki Ruslan Kasemovich, born in 1988. Note that letters should be written in Russian. You may use automatic online translation tools.
Solidarity Zone is providing support for Ruslan Sidiki. Join their fundraiser to support legal costs of Ruslan.
Archive photo from previous court hearings regarding pre-trial measures.
Source: Solidarity Zone: (1) (2) (3)
Translation: Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
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