Additional Name(s): Linar Munirovich Vakhitov, Vakhitov Linar Munirovich, Вахитов Линар Мунирович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 22 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/4/2015

Date of Sentencing: July/30/2018

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Linar Vakhitov

Extra Bio Info:

Linar Vakhitov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On February 4, 2015, authorities arrested Vakhitov, director of StroyAlliance LLC and head of the human rights movement For the Rights of Muslims, after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. He was initially charged with  “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC).

In January 2016, Vakhitov was also charged with "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC), and his previous charge was reclassified as "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC).

On July 30, 2018, the Volga District Military Court sentenced Vakhitov to 22 years in prison and one year and six months of restricted freedom 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). Vakhitov was also fined 700,000 rubles.

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