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 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
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Taras Kuzo" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Case of Kuzo and others in Yalta" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"The Supreme Court in Crimea Overturned the Sentences of Four Jehovah's Witnesses. The Men Were Released From the Pre-trial Detention Center, but the Trial Will Start Over" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
USCIRF Issue Update: Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine July 2023
"CRIMEA: Now 12 jailed Crimean prisoners of conscience" Forum 18
"Court in Yalta Gave Four Jehovah's Witnesses, Including a Woman, From 3 Years Suspended Sentence to 6.5 Years in Penal Colony for Believing in God" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
"Four More Jehovah's Witnesses Sentenced To Prison In Annexed Crimea" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
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 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
Photo attributed to Memorial
"Мустафаев Марлен Рамисович" Memorial
USCIRF Issue Update: Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine July 2023
2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Russia-Occupied Territories of Ukraine U.S. Department of State
"Мы считаем политзаключённым ещё одного крымчанина, осуждённого по делу «Хизб ут-Тахрир»" Memorial
"Крымскотатарского активиста Марлена Мустафаева приговорили к 17 годам лишения свободы" Memorial
"Crimean Tatar Activist Gets 17 Years In Prison in Russia On Terrorism Charges" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
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 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
Photo attributed to Memorial
"Февзиев Раиф Энверович" Memorial
USCIRF Issue Update: Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine July 2023
"New brutal sentence in Russia’s 'liquidation of all Crimean Tatar and other Ukrainian dissenters' in occupied Crimea" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
"Крымского имама Раифа Февзиева приговорили к 17 годам лишения свободы" Memorial
"Crimean Tatar Religious Cleric Gets 17 Years In Prison in Russia" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"Февзиев Раиф Энверович" Memorial