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/19/2021
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
Ikhlosbek Rozmetov
Extra Bio Info:
Ikhlosbek Rozmetov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
On January 19, 2021, Rozmetov 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, Rozmetov was released from prison following a presidential pardon.
Publicly Available Information:
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group: Turkmen
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 1 Year's Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: January//2018
Date of Sentencing: January/29/2018
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
Kerven Kakabayev
Extra Bio Info:
Kerven Kakabayev was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
In January 2018, authorities arrested Kakabayev.
On January 29, 2018, Kakabayev was sentenced to one year in prison for "rejecting call-up to military service" (Art. 219-1 TCC).
On June 27, 2018, Kakabayev's appeal was denied.
On an unspecified date, Kakabayev was released from prison; however, it is likely that he was released on January 29, 2019, following the end of his sentence.
Publicly Available Information:
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group: Turkmen
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: March/14/2015
Date of Sentencing: May/19/2015
Date of Release: February/13/2019
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech
Bahram Hemdemov
Extra Bio Info:
Bahram Hemdemov was imprisoned for his religious activity.
On March 14, 2015, authorities arrested Hemdemov following a raid on his home coinciding with a large worship meeting he was hosting. Police reportedly tortured him.
On May 19, 2015, Hemdemov was sentenced to four years in prison for "inciting social, ethnic or religious hatred using mass media" (Art. 177-2 TCC).
On February 13, 2019, Hemdemov was released.