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

Extra Bio Info:

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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