Biography
In May 2021, the court found Rustam Seidkuliev guilty of participating in extremist activities and sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison for his faith. Later, the court of appeal reduced this period by 2 months.
Rustam was born in 1977 in Ashgabat (former Turkmen SSR). As a child, he was engaged in freestyle wrestling, martial arts. He graduated from college and acquired the profession of a telephone master. He worked as a finisher. In his free time he was fond of music — he played the guitar.
In 1993, Rustam became interested in Bible teachings, and after 2 years his mother joined him. He was impressed by the inner consistency of the Bible, its life-saving advice and fulfilling prophecies.
Rustam's religious convictions do not allow taking up arms, so he refused to do military service. For refusing to join the army, he was twice convicted (in 1995 and 1996) and spent 1 year and 8 months in a general regime colony.
In 2000, the family moved from Turkmenistan to Saratov, as Rustam's stepfather was deported from the country because of his religion.
A year after the move, Rustam met his future wife Yuliya, who at that time had already been a Christian for 8 years. She is a seamstress by profession, loves music and plays the piano. Yuliya is a housewife. The couple like movies, picnics, table tennis, bowling.
The severe stress after the arrest of her husband undermined Yuliya's health. Relatives, friends and clients of Rustam are outraged that a peace-loving person was thrown behind bars only because of his faith in God.