Additional Name(s): Ruslan Suleymanov, Сулейманов Руслан Серверович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 14 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/27/2019

Date of Sentencing: November/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Ruslan Suleimanov

Extra Bio Info:

Ruslan Suleimanov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On March 27, 2019, authorities arrested Suleimanov, a citizen journalist and activist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Authorities searched the homes of several activists and allegedly confiscated Hizb ut-Tahrir materials. Suleimanov was charged with “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).

On November 24, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Suleimanov to 14 years in prison.

In November 2023, it was reported that Suleimanov has not received adequate medical care for congenital heart disease and tachycardia.

On February 1, 2024, the Military Court of Appeal upheld Suleimanov's sentence.

Suleimanov has three children.

Related Cases: Enver Ametov, Yashar Muyedinov, Rustem Sheikhaliev, Osman Arifmemetov, Eskender Suleymanov

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Additional Name(s): Şahin Qədirov

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Azerbaijan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: Yes

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/23/2022

Date of Sentencing: February/14/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use

Shahin Gadirov

Extra Bio Info:

Shahin Gadirov is imprisoned for his religious association.

On November 23, 2022, Azerbaijani authorities arrested Gadirov, a member of the unregistered Muslim Unity Movement (MUM), on his way home from work. In 2023, authorities placed him under house arrest.

On February 14, 2024, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Gadirov to three years in prison for "Illegally purchasing or storing without a purpose of selling narcotics or psychotropic substances in a quantity (amount) exceeding necessary for personal consumption" (Art. 234 ACC). 

According to his legal team, Gadirov was tortured into confession. 

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): نسیم کاشانی نژاد

Gender: Female

Current Location: Adel-Abad Prison, Shiraz

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/21/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Nasim Kashani Nejad

Extra Bio Info:

Nasim Kashani Nejad was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On November 21, 2022, authorities in Shiraz took into custody Nejad and sent her to Adel-Abad Prison to begin serving her sentence. Prior to her arrest, an appeals court sentenced Nejad to six months in prison on accusations related to her Baha'i religious activities.

On January 29, 2023, Nejad was released from prison.

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