Additional Name(s): Refat Mametovich Alimov, Алимов Рефат Маметович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/18/2016
Date of Sentencing: November/12/2019
Date of Release: April/17/2024
Current Status: Released
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 Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Refat Alimov was imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.
On April 18, 2016, authorities arrested Alimov after accusing him of being a member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. He and his colleagues allegedly held meetings where they studied the organization's literature and ideology and discussed political and social issues.
On November 12, 2019, Alimov was sentenced to eight years in prison and one year of restricted freedom 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). Alimov was tried alongside five other defendants, all Crimean Tatar Muslims, many of whom were prominently involved in political opposition to the occupation and human rights advocacy.
On June 25, 2020, Alimov's sentence was upheld.
On April 17, 2024, Alimov was released after completing his sentence.
Related Cases: Inver Bekirov, Vadim Siruk, Arsen Dzhepparov, Emir-Usein Kuku, Muslim Aliyev
Photo attributed to Memorial Human Rights Center
"Политзаключённый Рефат Алимов вышел на свободу после 8 лет колонии" Memorial
"Политзаключенного Рефата Алимова посетил адвокат. Его срок заключения истекает в следующем году" Crimean Solidarity
"Алимов Рефат Маметович" Memorial Human Rights Center
"Crimean Tatar prisoner of conscience sentenced to 19 years for religious 'dissidence' faces new torment in Russian prison" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
"List of Individuals Recognised as Political Prisoners by the Memorial Human Rights Centre and Persecuted in connection with the Realisation of Their Right to Freedom of Religion as of 9 November 2021" Memorial Human Rights Center
"Huge sentences upheld for defending human rights and integrity in Russian-occupied Crimea" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
"Russia brings 19-year sentences against religious ‘dissidents’ to occupied Crimea" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
"Ялтинское дело о членстве в запрещённой «Хизб ут-Тахрир»" Memorial Human Rights Center
"Defendants in the Yalta Hizb ut-Tahrir case are political prisoners" Memorial Human Rights Center