Additional Name(s): Azimjon Avaz ogli Abdusamatov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 6 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/14/2020
Current Status: Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Online Activity Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Treason & Sedition
Azimjon Abdusamatov
Extra Bio Info:
Azimjon Abdusamatov was imprisoned for discussing his religion on social media.
Between August and October 2019, authorities originally arrested Abdusamatov alongside seven others for allegedly downloading “extremist sermons” and other religious extremism-related offenses. They were then reportedly tortured at the Interior Ministry building. Abdusamatov was charged but released on bail.
On August 14, 2020, Abdusamatov was arrested again in the courtroom immediately after his trial ended. He was sentenced to six years and three months in a labor camp in Tashkent for “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Arts. 159) and "creation, management, and participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2 UCC).
On August 21, 2024, Azimjon Abdusamatov was released from prison.
Related Cases: Ubaydulla Murtazoyev, Shakhzodjon Zokirov, Alisher Kasymov, Bakhtiyor Tursunov
Publicly Available Information:
Additional Name(s): Ubaydulla Ruzimurod ogli Murtazoyev
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 10 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/5/2019
Date of Sentencing: August/14/2020
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Distributing Religious Materials Online Activity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition
Ubaydulla Murtazoyev
Extra Bio Info:
Ubaydulla Murtazoyev was imprisoned for discussing his religion on social media.
On September 5, 2019, authorities detained Murtazoyev for allegedly storing with the purpose of distributing materials that contain ideas of religious extremism. Murtazoyev was also reportedly tortured at the Interior Ministry building alongside seven others detained on similar charges. Murtazoyev was charged with various crimes, including “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Arts. 159-1, 159-3 UCC), “preparation or distribution of materials containing a threat to public security or public order” (Art. 244-1 UCC), and "creation, management, and participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2 UCC).
On August 14, 2020, Murtazoyev was sentenced to ten years and six months in a prison or resettlement colony in the Tashkent region.
On August 18, 2024, Murtazoyev was released from prison.
Related Cases: Azimjon Abdusamatov, Shakhzodjon Zokirov, Alisher Kasymov, Bakhtiyor Tursunov
Publicly Available Information:
Additional Name(s): Shakhzodjon Tokhirjon ogli Zokirov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/8/2019
Date of Sentencing: August/14/2020
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Online Activity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing Treason & Sedition
Shakhzodjon Zokirov
Extra Bio Info:
Shakhzodjon Zokirov is imprisoned for discussing his religion on social media.
On October 8, 2019, authorities arrested Zokirov for allegedly downloading “extremist sermons” and other religious extremism-related offenses. He and seven others arrested around the same time were reportedly tortured at the Interior Ministry building.
On August 14, 2020, Zokirov was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on various criminal statutes, including "financing terrorism" (Art. 155-3 UCC), “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order” (Arts. 159-1 UCC), and "creation, management, and participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2 UCC).
Related Cases: Azimjon Abdusamatov, Ubaydulla Murtazoyev, Alisher Kasymov, Bakhtiyor Tursunov