Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Turkmenistan

Ethnic Group: Turkmen

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Sentencing: January/11/2021

Date of Release: May/8/2021

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service

Ruslan Artykmuradov

Extra Bio Info:

Ruslan Artykmuradov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.

On January 11, 2021, Artykmuradov was sentenced to two years in a labor camp for "rejecting call-up to military service" (Art. 219-1 TCC).  The date and circumstances of his arrest were unspecified.

On May 8, 2021, Artykmuradov was released from prison following a presidential pardon.

Sources: