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In the photo: Konstantin before March 2025 and after 8 months in prison
We are attaching an urgent action request for a time-sensitive case in which a political dissident and leader of a spiritual group from Russia is being arbitrarily detained in Argentina, in inhumane and degrading conditions, and the continuation of his detention poses a serious threat to his health or life.
We are deeply concerned about the unjustified and inhumane detention by the Argentine authorities of Konstantin Rudnev, who was arrested on March 28, 2025, and remains in a maximum-security prison in Argentina despite being in serious health condition since the beginning. The prison medical authorities themselves confirmed the existence of an "increased risk" due to chronic and progressive lung disease, with impaired respiratory function and increased cardiovascular risk.
Mr. Rudnev has now lost more than 50 kilograms in five months, which, according to two medical experts heard at the last hearing on January 21, can only be attributed to cancer of the digestive system. He must therefore be hospitalized urgently in order to undergo immediate specialized medical examinations and receive treatment.
Despite this life-threatening situation, Konstantin Rudnev has been denied access to specialized medical care and has been denied release from prison under house arrest or electronic monitoring, measures that would allow for the necessary medical hospitalization.
Mr. Rudnev was once the leader of a minority religion, "Ashram Shambala," in Russia, and was the target of an anti-cult campaign led by the Russian Orthodox Church. He was imprisoned for 11 years in the Russian Federation, served his sentence there, and then emigrated first to Montenegro and then to Argentina, where he led a quiet life without religious leadership activities.
However, he was caught up in a sting operation carried out as part of an investigation into human trafficking targeting a group of Russian citizens who were attempting to emigrate to Argentina and obtain legal documentation in that country.
Given his criminal record in Russia and hostile media reports describing him as a highly dangerous guru specializing in mental manipulation and exploitation of his followers, the prosecutor focused on him and accused him, without any tangible evidence, of leading a transnational criminal organization.
Unaware that an investigation was underway, Konstantin Rudnev was arrested at the airport on March 28, 2025, without being presented with a warrant, without the law enforcement officers identifying themselves, and without being read his charges. He was denied access to an interpreter or a lawyer to help him understand what was happening.
He was subjected to a full body search and all his personal belongings were confiscated, including his phone and passport. He was then immediately transferred to a maximum security prison, where he was placed in solitary confinement for 10 days, with only a T-shirt in a cold cell, surviving on bread and tap water.
He was only able to consult a lawyer twelve days later, who managed to have the isolation measure lifted, but he remained detained in the maximum-security prison and continues to be held there to this day, in conditions that put his life at risk.
Konstantin Rudnev entered prison at the age of 57, already suffering from several serious health problems, including progressive pulmonary fibrosis (a fatal disease), a history of heart attack in 2021, and a suspected brain tumor. He has now lost 53 kilograms, and doctors suspect he has cancer of the digestive system.
He is denied access to specialized medical examinations and the care necessary for his condition. No interpreter is provided during medical examinations in prison, which has led to him being forcibly administered inappropriate medication, causing a drastic drop in his blood pressure and episodes of fainting.
He remains incarcerated with 23 other prisoners who smoke constantly in an unventilated space, putting his life at risk due to his lung disease.
Despite numerous complaints and habeas corpus actions based on medical evidence, his release has not been ordered, even though national legislation provides for the adoption of less severe measures, such as house arrest with electronic monitoring and the retention of travel documents.
We enclose the duly completed urgent appeal form, together with a medical information sheet and a chronology of the unsuccessful appeals that have been lodged.
We respectfully request that you consider this request and intervene with the Argentine government to put an end to this long agony.
Argentine society—and the world watching—deserve a clear answer.
If we all raise our voices, Konstantin will be able to receive help and return to his life.
For interviews or further information.
Write to: elcasorudnev@gmail.com
His health is deteriorating while injustice continues to prevail.
But you can make a difference.
Your support can help Konstantin regain his freedom and return to his family.
