In Kyrgyzstan, Natalia Sekerina, an employee of the Russian House in Osh, was arrested on suspicion of recruiting mercenaries, Interfax reported on April 23, citing Ms. Nurzina Murzayeva, a spokeswoman for the First May District Court of Bishkek.

According to her, Sekerina, who was arrested in Osh, previously worked as a journalist.  Another detainee, Sergey Lapushkin, worked in the press service of the Osh City Hall.  

Together with them, two other individuals were arrested, and their identities are being established.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted under the Article "Mercenary" of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code.

"By the decision of the First May District Court of Bishkek, the petition of the investigator from the Main Investigative Department of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) of Kyrgyzstan to apply a preventive measure to Lapushkin and Sekerina was granted.  The detainees have been placed under detention until June 17, 2025," Murzayeva said.

She reported that the detainees are suspected of “recruiting, financing, providing material support, and training mercenaries with the aim of using them in armed conflicts in other states or violent actions aimed at overthrowing government power or violating territorial integrity, as well as using mercenaries in military conflicts or actions.”

The lawyer of one of the detainees informed journalists that they are suspected of recruiting people to participate in combat operations in Ukraine.

The Rossotrudnichestvo’s Office in Kyrgyzstan expressed concern over the arrest of Sekerina but added that it does not have full information regarding the nature of the accusations.

“Sekerina is a citizen of Kyrgyzstan, a local employee of the branch, and has been working at the Russian House since July 2024.  She is responsible for media relations at our Osh branch. We know her as a conscientious, open, and responsible employee,” the statement said.

The office hopes that "the investigation will thoroughly clarify the matter."

Rossotrudnichestvo also emphasized that the Russian Center for Science and Culture operates exclusively within the framework of government-to-government agreements.

If the detainees are found guilty, they could face up to 15 years in prison.