Additional Name(s): Ernest Seytosmanov, Эрнеса Сейтосманова
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 17 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 18 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: February/9/2022
Date of Sentencing: May/24/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Ernes Seytosmanov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.
On February 9, 2022, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several individuals, including Seytosmanov, after searching their homes. Investigators accused Osmanov of leading a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, possessing specific religious literature, discussing religion, and recruiting members to the organization. He was charged with "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).
On May 24, 2023, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Seytosmanov to 18 years in prison.
On November 1, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal reduced Seytosmanov's sentence by six months in prison to 17 years and six months in prison on charges of “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).
Related Cases: Marlen Mustafayev, Ametkhan Abdulvapov, Ansar Osmanov
"Court in Russia reduces charge against Crimean Tatar political prisoner but retains appalling sentence" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
USCIRF Issue Update: Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine July 2023
"Another Crimean Tatar Activist Gets Lengthy Prison Term in Russia On Terrorism Charges" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"Crimean Tatar activist sentenced to 18 years for discussing religion and Russian repression" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Russia-Occupied Territories of Ukraine U.S. Department of State
"Four Crimean Tatars Detained After Their Homes Searched" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Additional Name(s): Said Abu Mustafa, Said Mansur Rezk Abdelrazek, Саиду Абу Мустафе, Сайду Мансуру Резку Абдельразеку
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 1 Year, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/6/2023
Date of Sentencing: November/10/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Texts) Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Public Disorder
Said Abdelrazek is imprisoned for blasphemy.
On July 6 , 2023, authorities in Ulyanovsk detained Abdelrazek, an Egyptian citizen, after he posted a video of himself trampling a Qur'an, pouring alcohol over it, and then throwing it off a bridge. He also made derogatory comments about the Qur'an. Abdelrazek was reportedly charged with "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers" (Art. 148-1 RCC) and hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC).
In August 2023, it was reported that prosecutors approved Abdelrazek's indictment and referred him to court on charges of "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers...committed in places specially designated for holding divine services, other religious rites and ceremonies" (Art. 148-2 RCC). However, later sourcing proved this to be inaccurate.
On November 10, 2023, the Zasviyazhsky District Court of Ulyanovsk sentenced Abdelrazek to one year and six months in prison and fined him 150,000 rubles for "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers" (Art. 148-1 RCC) and hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC).
On February 8, 2024, the Ulyanovsk Regional Court upheld Abdelrazek's sentence.
"Утвержден приговор уроженцу Египта за осквернение Корана" SOVA Center
"В Ульяновске уроженца Египта осудили за осквернение Корана" SOVA Center
"В Ульяновске в суд передали дело против уроженца Египта, обвиняемого в оскорблении чувств верующих" SOVA Center
"Ульянда Коръәнне мәсхәрәләү эше мәхкәмәдә каралачак" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"В Ульяновске подтвердили задержание египтянина за осквернение Корана" RIA Novosti
"В Ульяновске против уроженца Египта возбудили уголовное дело из-за видео с Кораном" SOVA Center
Additional Name(s): Mohamaddi Rahmatullo, Mohammadi Rahmatullah, Муҳаммадӣ Раҳматуллоҳ, Муҳаррамов Муҳаммад Раҳматуллоевич
Gender: Male
Current Location: Strict Regime Prison No. 3/1, Vahdat District
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Health Concerns: Swollen legs
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/2/2022
Date of Sentencing: March/23/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Instruction & Teaching Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Mukhammadi Mukharramov is imprisoned for his independent religious activity.
On November 2, 2022, police arrested Mukharramov, an imam, for allegedly teaching Islam to a group of 12 Muslim men.
On March 23, 2023, the Ismoili Somoni District Criminal Court sentenced Mukharramov to eight years in prison for "organization of an extremist association" (Art. 307-2 TCC) and sentenced the other 12 men to between seven and ten years in prison on similar charges.
Mukharramov is currently located at Strict Regime Prison No. 3/1 in the Vahdat District.
Mukharramov was previously sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in 2016, but was pardoned after serving a portion of his sentence. A graduate of the International Islamic University of Pakistan, Mukharramov was considered to be the "leader of Salafis of Tajikistan" in the early 2000s, before Salafism was declared "extremist" in 2014. During this time, Mukharramov often debated Hanafi clerics.
Mukharramov suffers from swollen legs and requires crutches to walk. After his detainment, Mukharramov reported that his legs stopped working.
"Ба масҷид намерафт, дар хона буд." Боздошти дубораи Муҳаммадӣ Раҳматулло. ВИДЕО" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"Наздиконаш гуфтанд, 'пойи Муҳаммадӣ Раҳматуллоҳ аз ҳаракат мондааст'" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)