Today, we share the story of Crimean activist Vadym Siruk, who was illegally sentenced to 12 Years in a strict regime colony.

Life Before the Detention

Vadym Siruk was born on February 20, 1989, in Crimea. He spent his childhood and youth in the village of Nyzhnohirske, where he completed nine years of secondary school.

After graduating, Vadym enrolled in an agricultural college but transitioned to distance learning due to financial difficulties, allowing him to support his family. Later, he moved to Yalta, where he worked in the distribution of medical and household equipment.

In 2012, Vadym converted to Islam and began practicing its tenets.

What did the occupiers come up with?

On February 11, 2016, in the occupied cities of Yalta and Alushta, security forces of the occupying administration conducted a series of illegal mass searches in the homes of residents. On that day, Vadym Siruk was detained along with religious leader Muslim Aliiev, human rights defender Emir-Usein Kuku, and school guard Inver Bekirov.

Shortly afterward, two other residents, Arsen Dzhepparov and Refat Alimov, were detained in the village of Krasnokamianka in the Alushta district under similar pretexts.

On November 12, 2019, a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don illegally sentenced Vadym Siruk to 12 years in a strict regime colony.

Why was Vadym Siruk actually detained?

Vadym was an active member of his community. He was involved in restoring religious sites, including a mosque in the village of Vasylivka, and protecting an ancient cemetery in Simeiz. He also organized holiday events and participated in religious ceremonies.

After the onset of Russian repression and persecution triggered by the aggression and occupation of Crimea, Vadym actively supported the families of political prisoners. He attended illegal “court” proceedings, providing moral and material support to the families of the imprisoned.

His detention became part of the occupying administration’s systematic policy aimed at suppressing any dissent through fabricated charges and repressive actions.

Where is Vadym Siruk now?

On June 25, 2020, the court in Vlasikha, Moscow Region, Russia, rejected Vadym Siruk’s appeal.

Following the rejection, the political prisoner was transferred to Penal Colony No. 2 in Salavat, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, over 2,000 kilometers from Crimea.

Upon arrival, he was illegally placed in a punitive confinement cell for 17 days. Additionally, due to the poor climate, inadequate nutrition, and lack of vitamins, Vadym’s health has deteriorated. He also suffers from dental issues, and the prison dentist rarely provides necessary assistance.

“Dad was amazed at how much the children had grown. In his memory, our daughter Amira was two years old, but now a teenager with her interests and hobbies, came to visit him. Our younger daughter, Hanifa, didn’t let go of her father for all three days of the visit,” shared the political prisoner’s wife.