Said Abdelrazek

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Said Abdelrazek is imprisoned for blasphemy.

On July 6, 2023, authorities in Ulyanovsk detained Abdelrazek, an Egyptian citizen, after he posted a video of himself trampling a Qur'an, pouring alcohol over it, and then throwing it off a bridge. He also made derogatory comments about the Qur'an. Sources allege during his arrest, police assaulted Abdelrazek. Abdelrazek was reportedly charged with "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers" (Art. 148-1 RCC) and hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC).

In August 2023, it was reported that prosecutors approved Abdelrazek's indictment and referred him to court on charges of "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers...committed in places specially designated for holding divine services, other religious rites and ceremonies" (Art. 148-2 RCC). However, later sourcing proved this to be inaccurate.

On November 10, 2023, the Zasviyazhsky District Court of Ulyanovsk sentenced Abdelrazek to one year and six months in prison and fined him 150,000 rubles for "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers" (Art. 148-1 RCC) and hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC). 

On February 8, 2024, the Ulyanovsk Regional Court upheld Abdelrazek's sentence.

Sources allege prison authorities denied Abdelrazek proper dental care after experiencing extreme pain. Sources also allege Abdelrazek faced pressures while in prison to convert back to Islam.