Sergey Chuikov

A resident of Kursk, Sergey Chuikov was detained in February 2022 due to social media posts calling on residents of Kursk to join anti-war protests. Two administrative protocols were drawn up against him under the article for organising an unauthorised public event (Part 2 of Article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences). On 27 February, he was sentenced twice to 10 days of administrative arrest: the first for a post on VKontakte, and the second for a comment on Telegram. On the morning of 30 August 2024, a group of law enforcement officers, including police and FSB agents, broke into Chuikov's home. During the search, they beat him, demanding he provide the password to his phone. They then blindfolded Chuikov and took him to an unknown building. According to Chuikov, he was tortured there—beaten and electrocuted through handcuffs. He had visible signs of torture and yellowed patches of skin.

While being tortured, Chuikov was shown comments on Telegram about how Ukraine’s victory would free the country from fascism. He was also shown an Instagram post with a picture of the Russian flag peeling off like a sticker to reveal the Ukrainian flag underneath, captioned "your Kursk has peeled off." The officers demanded that he confess to being connected with the Ukrainian army and heading an underground cell.

In the evening, he was taken to the North-Western District police station, where a protocol was drawn up against him for disobeying the police (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences). The next day, Chuikov was taken to the Leninsky District Court in Kursk, but the judge refused to hear the case, reportedly outraged by Chuikov's detention.

Two days later, on 1 September, Chuikov was brought back to the court, this time to a different judge. He was found guilty of disobeying the police and fined 2,500 roubles (~27 USD) before being released. According to the court's ruling, Chuikov "disobeyed lawful police demands during a counter-terrorist operation by refusing to hand over his mobile phone for inspection, obstructing the examination and documentation of evidence of serious crimes for which he is a suspect." The ruling also stated that Chuikov was suspected of violating laws on discrediting the army (Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code) and justifying terrorism (Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code). However, no information could be found about administrative cases against Chuikov for discrediting the army (Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences), raising questions about how a corresponding criminal case could be opened. Under Article 280.3, a criminal case can only be initiated after a final ruling under Article 20.3.3, or under Part 2 if damage to property or harm to a person is involved, but Chuikov was only questioned about his publications.

Chuikov has since left Russia. He complained of memory loss as a result of the electric shocks.