Additional Name(s): Usmanov Abdulhannon Burhonovich, Domullo Abdulhannon, Abdulhannon Mannonov,Домулло Абдулҳаннон
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: April//2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Praying Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Abdulhannon Usmonov is imprisoned for his religious association and activity.
On January 27, 2023, authorities from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Khatlon region announced the arrest of Abdulhannon Usmonov under administrative measures for disrupting the wedding celebration of a relative who chose to celebrate with music and dancing. Usmonov soon after apologized for his behavior. During a subsequent investigation of Usmonov, authorities found that he watched and distributed "extremist" "Salafi movement" materials online and, as a local imam, led prayers in the Salafi style. Authorities also discovered he obstructed his daughter's education.
In April 2023, a Khatlon region court sentenced Usmonov to six years in prison on charges of "participating in the activity of political parties, social or religious organizations, or other organizations, liquidated or banned by a court for extremist activity" (Art. 307-3-2 TCC) and "impeding a principal compulsory common education" (Art. 164 TCC).
"Домулло Абдулҳаннонро ба гуноҳи ифротгароӣ зиндонӣ карданд. ВИДЕО" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"Як рӯҳониро дар Тоҷикистон танбеҳ додаанд" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
"'Танҳо баҳси тӯй нест.' Ҷузъиёти ҳукми Домулло Абдулҳаннон" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
USCIRF Commissioner Father Thomas Reese testified at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing: Mass Atrocities Prevention.
View the recording here.
USCIRF Commissioner Tenzin Dorjee testified at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China Hearing: Tibet "From All Angles"
View the recording here.