Additional Name(s): Shakhzodjon Tokhirjon ogli Zokirov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/8/2019
Date of Sentencing: August/14/2020
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Online Activity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing Treason & Sedition
Shakhzodjon Zokirov is imprisoned for discussing his religion on social media.
On October 8, 2019, authorities arrested Zokirov for allegedly downloading “extremist sermons” and other religious extremism-related offenses. He and seven others arrested around the same time were reportedly tortured at the Interior Ministry building.
On August 14, 2020, Zokirov was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on various criminal statutes, including "financing terrorism" (Art. 155-3 UCC), “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Arts. 159-1 UCC), and "creation, management, and participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2 UCC).
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