Additional Name(s): Taras Grigoryevich Kuzio, Taras Kuzo, Кузьо Тарас Григорьевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Overturned

Sentence: Originally 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/27/2023

Date of Sentencing: February/27/2023

Date of Release: March/22/2024

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing

Taras Kuzio

Extra Bio Info:

Taras Kuzio was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On March 11, 2021, authorities in Yalta, Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained Kuzio after accusing him of extremism tied to his religion. Authorities searched his home and seized electronics and Bibles.

On March 12, 2021, Kuzio was placed under house arrest. 

On July 11, 2022, the Yalta City Court lifted Kuzio's house arrest.

On February 27, 2023, the Yalta City Court sentenced Kuzio to six years and six months in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC) and “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC). Kuzio was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On March 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of Crimea overturned Kuzio's sentence and ordered a new trial. Kuzio was subsequently released from custody.

Kuzio is married with two children.

Related Cases: Sergey Lyulin, Pyotr Zhiltsov

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Additional Name(s): Мустафаев Марлен Рамисович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 17 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/9/2022

Date of Sentencing: November/30/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Marlen Mustafayev

Extra Bio Info:

Marlen Mustafayev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity. 

On February 9, 2022, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, arrested Mustafayev and other Crimean Tatar activists after accusing them of being in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Prosecutors alleged that Mustafayev recruited members to the organization, held meetings about it, and possessed its literature. 

On November 30, 2022, the Southern Military District Court sentenced Mustafayev to 17 years in prison for "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).

Related Cases: Ametkhan Abdulvapov, Ernes Seytosmanov, Ansar Osmanov

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Additional Name(s): Февзиев Раиф Энверович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 17 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/17/2021

Date of Sentencing: January/12/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Raif Fevziyev

Extra Bio Info:

Raif Fevziyev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On August 17, 2021, authorities in Russian-occupied, Crimea, Ukraine, detained five people, including Fevziyev, an imam, after searching their homes. Authorities accused Fevziyev of organizing a banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization cell. Accusations reportedly stem from a recording of Fevziyev discussing religious issues in December 2015.

On January 12, 2023, the Southern Military District Court sentenced Fevziyev to 17 years in prison for "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).

Related Cases: Dzhebbar Bekirov, Zavur Abdullayev, Rustem Murasov, Rustem Tairov

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