Additional Name(s): Асанов Марлен Рифатович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 19 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/11/2017

Date of Sentencing: September/16/2020

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 Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Marlen Asanov

Extra Bio Info:

Marlen Asanov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On October 11, 2017, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several Crimean Tatar activists, including Asanov, after accusing them of being involved in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, holding meetings and classes, and spreading the organizations ideology.

On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Asanov to 19 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).

On March 14, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Asanov's sentence.

Asanov is married with four children.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) advocates for Asanov as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.

Related Cases: Timur Ibragimov, Memet Belyalov, Server Zekiryayev, Server Mustafayev, Seyran Saliyev, Edem Smailov, Ernes Ametov, Oleg Fedorov, Ernest Ibragimov

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