Additional Name(s): Mowlawi Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: August/20/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi is detained for his religious activity.
On August 20, 2023, authorities reportedly arrested Naghshbandi, the imam and Friday prayer leader in Rask, while he was traveling from from Rask to Chah Bahar. The week before, local officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s Representative in the provincial capital, Zahedan, had summoned Naghshbandi threatening to arrest him if he continued to deliver sermons critical of authorities. His arrest came amid a crackdown on protestors, civil society, and former political prisoners following nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini, and mandatory religious veiling.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Imam of Friday Prayer in Rask Apprehended by Security Forces" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Special Report: Sunni Clerics in the Crosshairs of Islamic Republic Repression" Center for Humans Rights in Iran
Additional Name(s): Исмету Ибрагимову, Ибрагимов Исмет Таирович
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: 19 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/7/2020
Date of Sentencing: July/8/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Ismet Ibragimov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.
On July 7, 2020, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained Ibragimov among others after searching their homes. Authorities accused Ibragimov of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization and spreading its ideas.
On July 8, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Ibragimov to 19 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).
On October 2, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Ibragimov's sentence.
Ibragimov is married with three children.
Photo attributed to Memorial
"Ибрагимов Исмет Таирович" Memorial
"Crimean Tatar political prisoner: Russia’s 19-year sentence will not silence me, nor will such persecution break others" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
"Утвержден приговор крымчанину Исмету Ибрагимову" SOVA Center
"Апелляционный суд оставил в силе приговор арабисту Исмету Ибрагимову. Его лишили свободы на 19 лет" Crimean Solidarity
"Crimean Tatar sentenced to 19 years on 'sheer fantasy' charges" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
"Вынесен приговор крымчанину Исмету Ибрагимову" SOVA Center
"Исмету Ибрагимову назначили 19 лет колонии строгого режима" Crimean Human Rights Group (CHG)
Additional Name(s): Raja Amir Masih
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other
Date of Detainment: August//2023
Date of Release: March/1/2024
Current Status: Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy
Raja Amir was detained for blasphemy.
In August 2023, police arrested Amir after rumors circulated alleging that he and his brother tore pages from a Quran and wrote derogatory comments on them. Amir was reportedly charged with "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B) and "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC).
On March 1, 2024, Amir was reportedly acquitted and released from prison.