Extra Bio Info:

Rustam Diarov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On June 9, 2020, authorities detained Diarov following raids by security officials in Astrakhan on the homes of 27 Jehovah Witness families. The day before, police had launched a criminal case against him, Yevgeniy Ivanov, and Sergei Klikunov for allegedly “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).

In June 2021, Diarov's trial reportedly began.

On October 25, 2021, the Trusovskiy District Court of Astrakhan sentenced Diarov to eight years in prison.

On March 3, 2022, the Astrakhan Regional Court upheld Diarov's sentence.

Diarov is serving his sentence at IK No. 4 in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Diarov is married.

Related Cases: Yevgeniy Ivanov, Sergey Klikunov, Olga Ivanova

Extra Bio Info:

Fazilhoja Arifhojaev is under house arrest for his religious expression.

On June 28, 2021, authorities arrested Arifhojaev, a blogger known for his criticism of the government's religious policies, following an in-person confrontation with another individual. He was initially charged with petty hooliganism (Art. 183 UAC) and sentenced to 15 days in prison.  During this period, he was reportedly denied access to his lawyer.

On July 13, 2021, the day Arifhojaev was set to be released, authorities revealed that they had opened another criminal investigation into Arifhojaev for allegedly “distributing or displaying materials containing a threat to public security and public order using mass media or telecommunication, or the Internet” (Art. 244-1.3 UCC). This charge reportedly stems from a March 2021 Facebook post Arifhojaev made about congratulating non-Muslims on their religious holidays.

On January 26, 2022, the Olmazor District Court sentenced Arifhojaev to seven years and six months in prison.

In December 2023, Arifhojaev was released from prison and placed under a parole-like sentence at home. 

There are reports that Arifhojaev has been subjected to torture and general mistreatment while in custody, including being forced to remain in a stress position for hours and solitary confinement. 

Arifhojaev's health has declined while in prison.  He reportedly suffers from hernias, heart-related issues, and a toothache that have all impacted his quality of life. His family says that he has also been denied adequate medical care.

Extra Bio Info:

Mansoor Tahir Ahmad is detained for blasphemy.

On March 31, 2021, authorities arrested Ahmad after he was accused of making negative comments about a religious program.  He was reportedly charged with "inciting interfaith hatred" (Sec. 11 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016) and "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC).

Ahmad's initial requests for bail have been denied.