Additional Name(s): Amet Suleimanov, Сулейманов Амет Рефатович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: March/11/2020
Date of Sentencing: October/29/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Association
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Amet Suleymanov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.
On March 11, 2020, authorities arrested Suleymanov for allegedly being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. The next day, March 12, he was reportedly placed under house arrest.
On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in the city of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Suleymanov to 12 years in prison for “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).
On February 9, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Suleymanov's sentence.
On April 5, 2023, Suleymanov was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.
In May 2023, it was reported that Suleymanov's health has deteriorated while in prison.
In August 2023, it was reported that Suleymanov's health had continued to deteriorate. He is reportedly suffering from leg swelling, joint pain, severe shortness of breath, and high blood pressure. It was also reported that prison authorities had confiscated Suleymanov's Qur'an and have prohibited him from reading namaz.
Suleymanov reportedly suffers from serious heart issues.
Suleymanov is married with three children.
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) advocates for Suleymanov as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.
Related Cases: Osman Seytumerov, Rustem Seytmemetov, Seytumer Seytumerov
Photo attributed to Memorial Human Rights Center
"Amet Suleimanov" Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
"Russia refuses critically ill Crimean Tatar political prisoner vital heart medication" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
"«Приговорили умирать». Амета Сулейманова с больным сердцем этапировали из Крыма во Владимир" Crimean Solidarity
"Политзаключенному Амету Сулейманову в СИЗО становится хуже. Ему грозят карцером за чтение намаза" Crimean Solidarity
USCIRF Issue Update: Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine July 2023
"«Спазмы и одышка». Здоровье Амета Сулейманова в СИЗО Симферополя ухудшается" Crimean Solidarity
"Гражданского журналиста Амета Сулейманова в СИЗО держат в спецблоке и отобрали лекарства" Crimean Solidarity
"Журналиста «Крымской солидарности» взяли под стражу несмотря на серьёзное заболевание сердца" Memorial
"В Комитете ООН против пыток отреагировали на обращение крымского политузника Амета Сулейманова – «Крым SOS»" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"Фигурантам третьего бахчисарайского дела «Хизб ут-Тахрир» утвердили приговор" SOVA Center
"Сулейманов Амет Рефатович" Memorial Human Rights Center
"Фигурантов бахчисарайского дела о причастности к запрещённой «Хизб ут-Тахрир» приговорили к срокам от 12 до 17 лет строгого режима" Memorial Human Rights Center
"Russia Gives Four Crimean Tatars Stiff Prison Sentences In Hizb ut-Tahrir Case" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"«Мемориал» признал политзаключенными еще четверых крымчан – фигурантов «дела Хизб ут-Тахрир»" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"«Мемориал» считает политзаключёнными четверых крымчан, обвиняемых в участии в «Хизб ут-Тахрир»" Memorial Human Rights Center
"The Kremlin's Political Prisoners: Prosecution of Crimean Tatars" Coalition to Free the Kremlin's Political Prisoners
"Eight Searches and Five Crimean Tatar Activists Detained in Crimea" The Crimean Human Rights Group