Additional Name(s): Remzi Bekirov, Бекиров Ремзи Рустемович

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: March/28/2019

Date of Sentencing: March/10/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Remzi Bakirov

Extra Bio Info:

Remzi Bakirov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On March 28, 2019, authorities arrested and beat Bakirov, a citizen journalist and activist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, in Rostov-on-Don after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. His home in Crimea, Ukraine, was searched. He was charged with "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 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Bakirov to 19 years in prison.

On March 28, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Bakirov's sentence.

Bakirov has three children.

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

Related Cases: Riza Izetov, Farkhod Bazarov, Raim Ayvazov, Shaban Umerov

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