Additional Name(s): Asgat Khasanovich Khafizov, Hafizov Asgat Khasanovich, Хафизов Асгат Хасанович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 23 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/14/2014

Date of Sentencing: August/5/2021

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 Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism

Asgat Khafizov

Extra Bio Info:

Asgat Khafizov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On October 14, 2014, authorities arrested Khafizov after raiding his home and confiscating computers and documents. Khafizov was accused of leading a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization.  He and his colleagues reportedly came together to read religious literature and discuss religious and political issues, all of which are ordinary religious activities.

On December 8, 2017, the Volga District Military Court sentenced Khafizov to 19 years and two months in prison for for "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) and “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).

On August 5, 2021, Khafizov was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and "being involved in the activities of a terrorist organization" (Art. 205.1-1.1 RCC).

It is reported that Khafizov's total sentence is 23 years in a special-regime penal colony, three years of which will be served in a prison.

Khafizov is married with three children.

Related Cases: Albert Valiullin, Azat Adiyev, Ruzim Davletshin, Radik Zaripov, Lenar Saitov, Timur Uzbekov, Pavel Khevronin

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