Artem Vatrya

In 2018, law enforcement agencies of the city of Lyantor conducted "raids" against Muslims. The law enforcement officers intimidated the residents of Lyantor, threatening illegal prosecution if complaints were filed against these illegal actions of law enforcement officials. Vatrya filed official statements and complaints to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office.

Vatrya was charged with being a member of a terrorist group and planning to blow up social institutions in Lyantor, as well as to kill employees of the local mosque, and keeping weapons and explosives with him.

Vatrya was detained on 1 April 2020. It is alleged that he was carrying a grenade, and at home he was allegedly found an explosive device in the form of a homemade bag with explosives and bolts, as well as media with images and recordings typical of radical Muslim groups, including those belonging to terrorist organisations banned in Russia. Vatrya's wife immediately said that the explosives, mats and flash drives did not belong to them, which she noted in the protocol.

Vatrya testified that he was tortured and during the initial explanations he was forced to sign the form without reading the text, otherwise he would have been subjected to additional torture, which he could no longer withstand.

The physical and chemical forensic examination of Vatrya's fingernail clippings showed no traces of explosives.

Vatri was taken into custody, initially on charges of possession of weapons and explosives. His detention expired at midnight on 14 December 2020, but he was unlawfully detained until 19:00 on 15 December 2020. After his release, he was detained again without grounds and taken to Nizhnevartovsk and then to Surgut, where he drew up documents on an administrative offence. He was subsequently accused of organising the activities of a terrorist community and preparing to commit a terrorist act.

Center for Combating Extremism officers continued to visit Vatrya in the pre-trial detention centre, threatening, intimidating and blackmailing him.

On 1 March 2024, the court sent Vatrya to compulsory treatment.