Additional Name(s): Ibrahim Mirkanovich Shavkatov, Шавкатов Ибрахим Мирканович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/22/2016

Date of Sentencing: December/28/2017

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism

Ibrahim Shavkatov

Extra Bio Info:

Ibrahim Shavkatov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On March 22, 2016, authorities arrested Shavkatov after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Prosecutors accused him of participating in Hizb ut-Tahrir meetings, studying the organization's literature, and seeking to attract new members for the organization.

On December 28, 2017, the Volga District Military Court sentenced Shavkatov to six years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC).

In March 2018, the Supreme Court upheld Shavkatov's sentence. 

On an unspecified date, Shavkatov was released from prison at the end of his sentence.

Related Cases: Ilshat Battalov, Amir Khakimullin, Marat Dindarov, Ramil Gataullin

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Refat Mametovich Alimov, Алимов Рефат Маметович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: April/18/2016

Date of Sentencing: November/12/2019

Date of Release: April/17/2024

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Refat Alimov

Extra Bio Info:

Refat Alimov was imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On April 18, 2016, authorities arrested Alimov after accusing him of being a member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization.  He and his colleagues allegedly held meetings where they studied the organization's literature and ideology and discussed political and social issues.

On November 12, 2019, Alimov was sentenced to eight years in prison and one year of restricted freedom for “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). Alimov was tried alongside five other defendants, all Crimean Tatar Muslims, many of whom were prominently involved in political opposition to the occupation and human rights advocacy.

On June 25, 2020, Alimov's sentence was upheld.

On April 17, 2024, Alimov was released after completing his sentence.

Related Cases: Inver Bekirov, Vadim Siruk, Arsen Dzhepparov, Emir-Usein Kuku, Muslim Aliyev

Publicly Available Information:

Jan 21, 2022

Across central and eastern Africa there are many dynamics at play, including political crises and violent insurgencies, both of which pose challenges to freedom of religion or belief. These trends and developments are especially concerning in countries such as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Kenya.

USCIRF Policy Analysts Mohy Omer and Madeline Vellturo join us to elaborate on increasing problematic government actions towards religious leaders and several religious communities in these and other countries in the region.

 

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