Additional Name(s): Умеров Шабан Изетович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 18 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/27/2019

Date of Sentencing: March/10/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Shaban Umerov

Extra Bio Info:

Shaban Umerov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On March 27, 2019, authorities arrested Umerov, an activist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Authorities searched the homes of several activists and allegedly confiscated Hizb ut-Tahrir materials. Umerov 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 March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Umerov to 18 years in prison.

On March 28, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Umerov's sentence.

merov has three children.

Related Cases: Remzi Bakirov, Riza Izetov, Farkhod Bazarov, Raim Ayvazov

Sources:

Dec 14

WHEN:

Dec 14th 10:30am - Dec 14th 12:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

China’s Religious Freedom Violations: Domestic Repression and Malign Influence Abroad

Wednesday, December 14, 2022
10:30am-12:00pm ET

Hearing Transcript

Hearing Summary

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on China’s religious freedom violations. The hearing explored two interrelated aspects: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government’s violations of religious freedom and repression of religious communities, in country and abroad. In addition, the hearing highlighted China’s malign foreign influence through lobbying efforts in the United States, which has had religious freedom implications.

Witnesses provided overviews on the Chinese government’s religious freedom violations affecting various religious communities in China and overseas, as well as policy recommendations for countering the Chinese government’s systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

Opening Remarks

Panel

  • Yaqiu Wang, Senior China Researcher, Human Rights Watch
    Written Testimony
  • Bhuchung K. Tsering, Interim President, International Campaign for Tibet
    Written Testimony
  • Louisa Greve, Director of Global Advocacy, Uyghur Human Rights Project
    Written Testimony
  • Bob Fu, Ph.D., President and Founder, ChinaAid Association
    Written Testimony
  • Zack Smith, Legal Fellow, Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, Heritage Foundation
    Written Testimony

Witnesses’ Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected] or (202) 702-2778.

Additional Name(s): Raim Aivazov, Айвазов Раим Халилович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 17 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: April/17/2019

Date of Sentencing: March/10/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Raim Ayvazov

Extra Bio Info:

Raim Ayvazov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On April 17, 2019, authorities detained Ayvazov, an activist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, at a border crossing between Kherson and Crimea. According to Ayvazov's lawyer, he was tortured. He was charged with “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).

In August 2020, prosecutors change one of his charges from “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) to "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) after he retracted a confession he was coerced into making. According to Ayvazov, officials subjected him to a fake execution by firing shots by his head and threatening to kill him. 

On March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Ayvazov to 17 years in prison.

On March 28, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Ayvazov's sentence.

Ayvazov is married with one child.

Related Cases: Remzi Bakirov, Riza Izetov, Farkhod Bazarov, Shaban Umerov

Sources:
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