Biography
In 2021, law enforcement agencies considered the peaceful religious activities of Inver Siyukhov from Maykop to be extremism. He was sent to a pre-trial detention center, and later the court sentenced the believer to a long term of imprisonment in a penal colony. At the end of April 2025, he was released from the premises operating as a pre-trial detention center at a maximum security penal colony, where he eventually served all the sentences imposed.
Inver was born in 1974 in Maikop (Republic of Adygea). He has an elder sister. They spent their childhood in the Georgian city of Gori, later the family returned to Maykop. Parents are retired. The father was diagnosed with cancer, and he was especially the persecution of his son, as he was afraid that he might not live to see his release.
During his school years, Inver was fond of football, collecting scale models of cars. After school, he moved to study in Krasnodar, where he graduated with a degree in accounting and auditing. Inver worked as a cashier-operator in a branch of Sberbank of Russia, later as a chief accountant in a private company, and before the criminal prosecution he was engaged in entrepreneurial activities.
In the early 1990s, Inver became deeply interested in religion. As he studied the Scriptures, he learned a great deal about the Creator and his qualities, such as love, wisdom, justice, and sensitivity. At a young age, he firmly decided to become a Christian and devote his life to serving God.
Inver's criminal prosecution brought fear, anxiety and emptiness to the family, where laughter was often heard, parents were proud of their children, and sister and brother doted on each other. This sad event turned everyone's life upside down. During the search, Inver's father asked the investigator: "Do you know what 'happy old age' means? This is when you can be proud of your children, and I am proud of my son! I am sure that he is not guilty of what he is accused of!" Inver's mother added: "Although in our culture it is not customary to praise your children in front of someone, God grant such children to everyone!"
Inver's sister said after his arrest: "Because of the baseless accusation, I suffer a double loss—I have been separated from my dear brother and friend. I note with regret that in our country the label "extremist" can easily be hung on the most peace-loving people, whose basic inner law is love for God and neighbor. Despite the pain of my parents' suffering and separation from my brother, I am proud of his dedication and courage."
Speaking with his final plea in court, Inver described how the support of family and friends helped him cope with all his trials: "My friends, most of whom are not representatives of my culture, became sons and daughters to my parents during my forced absence, taking care of their physical and emotional needs. They also worried about me, coming to each hearing, and stayed near the courthouse for several hours in any weather, as they could not get to the hearing due to quarantine restrictions . . . I can't help but note the support of my loved ones. My parents, despite their advanced age, were present at every court hearing and supported me emotionally. My dear son-in-law Aleksandr and my sister Zarieta left all their affairs and regularly came to the pre-trial detention center, taking care of my needs, although they themselves live in another city. Zarieta was not only a close friend to me, but also a protector."