Dilmurat Makhamatov
Additional Name(s): Dilmurat Makhamatov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Ethnic Group: Uzbek
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December/19/2018
Date of Sentencing: May/2/2019
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism
Dilmurat Makhamatov
Extra Bio Info:
Dilmurat Sultanmuratovich Makhamatov is imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On December 19, 2018, Kazakh authorities arrested Makhamatov after reportedly forcing him to return under false pretenses to Kazakhstan from Saudi Arabia, his home for nearly two decades. They were reportedly investigating comments he made about Islam that were posted online.
On May 2, 2019, the Al-Farabi District Court in Shymkent sentenced Makhamatov to eight years in prison for “incitement of social, national, patrimonial, racial, class or religious discord…by group of persons” (Art. 174-2 KCC) and “promotion of terrorism or public calls for making of the act of terrorism…with use of mass media or networks of telecommunications” (Art. 256-2 KCC). His bank accounts were also frozen.
On June 26, 2019, Makhamatov's appeal was denied.
Prior to his conviction, Makhamatov was being held at the Investigation Prison in Shymkent. It is unclear where he is being held now.
Makhamatov has two wives and nine children.