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Former employee of a defence enterprise, Roman Sidorkin, has died in the regional tuberculosis hospital in Saratov, reports “Rus Sidyashchaya” citing a source connected to the prison in Balashov. Sidorkin was serving his sentence in this prison.

According to the source, last year the 52-year-old inmate began showing symptoms of bronchitis.

“In December 2025 they allegedly began treating him, without transferring him to hospital. But in January it turned out that he had pneumonia,” reports “Rus Sidyashchaya.”

On 5 January, Sidorkin was taken to hospital, and on 9 January he died. Human rights defenders note that this is unofficial information. They have sent inquiries to the Federal Penitentiary Service for Saratov Region and other authorities.

  • In spring 2022, law enforcement detained Roman Sidorkin and his former wife Tatyana, who lived in Kursk Region, a region in western Russia, and worked at a local defence industry enterprise. The FSB accused them of passing technical documentation and samples of military products to Ukrainian military intelligence, as well as preparing explosions on the railway in Bryansk and Kursk Regions. Roman was sentenced to 17 years in prison, and Tatyana to 13 years. Sidorkin was found guilty under treason charges (Art. 275 of the Criminal Code), preparation for sabotage (Part 2 Art. 281 of the Criminal Code with reference to Part 1 Art. 30), and illegal possession of weapons (Part 1 Art. 222). His former wife was found guilty under the first two charges.
  • In 2025, Sidorkin was convicted on new charges—stealing military products for sale (para. “b,” Part 4 Art. 158 of the Criminal Code). The court increased his sentence to 23 years. He did not admit guilt. From the published ruling in this case it became known that after his detention in 2022, law enforcement officers used force against Sidorkin and exerted psychological pressure. The Investigative Committee refused to open a case based on his complaint. The same ruling noted that the man had a chronic illness, and that a minor son who is a student remained at large.

The article has been corrected: it mistakenly stated that Sidorkin was convicted under the second case in 2024.