Kyrgyzstan detains Russian cultural center staffer over alleged mercenary recruitment

Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) has detained Natalia Sekerina, an employee of Russkiy Dom (Russian House) — a branch of Russia’s network of cultural centers abroad — on suspicion of recruiting mercenaries, according to the Azattyk.org news portal.

On April 19, a court in Bishkek ordered Sekerina held in pretrial detention until June 17. She is accused of recruiting individuals to participate in armed conflicts abroad. Authorities have not released further details about the case.

In addition to Sekerina, three other individuals are reportedly involved, including Sergey Lapushkin, a former member of the press service at the Osh mayor’s office. He is accused of organizing and facilitating the recruitment and training of mercenaries. The identities of the remaining suspects have not been disclosed.

The SCNS has declined to comment on the investigation. Russkiy Dom operates under Rossotrudnichestvo, an organization overseen by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The agency is tasked with promoting Russia’s humanitarian and cultural influence abroad through projects in science, culture and education.