Mahmadsodyk Sayidov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Ethnic Group: Tajik
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: March/5/2021
Date of Sentencing: June/4/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Mahmadsodyk Sayidov
Extra Bio Info:
Mahmadsodyk Sayidov is imprisoned for his religious activity.
In March 2021, authorities arrested Sayidov, an imam, after he refused to give a state-provided sermon at his mosque.
In June 2021, authorities sentenced Sayidov to 5 years' imprisonment. While the official charges were unclear, one judge had accused him and two others of "acting together and participating in an extremist religious organization."
Publicly Available Information:
- USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel, Tweet, January 11, 2022
- USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Tajikistan in 2021 January 2022
- "Tajikistan: Imam jailed for preaching his own sermon" Forum 18