Additional Name(s): Aleksander Akopov, Aleksandr Andreevich Akopov, Акопов Александр Андреевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: December/12/2018

Date of Release: December/5/2019

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

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

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing

Aleksandr Akopov

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Akopov was detained for his religious belief and activity. 

On December 12, 2018, authorities arrested Akopov and charged him with “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC)

On December 5, 2019, the Neftekum District Court ordered the release of Akopov and banned him from certain actions, including using the mail, phones, internet, and communicating with witnesses.  

On June 5, 2020, investigators opened a new case against Akopov, charging him with “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC).

On July 29, 2020, prosecutors accused Akopov and another defendant of "acting according to their criminal roles...managed the property of the prohibited [organization]...held meetings...organized a collection of funds to finance the [organization]."

Related Cases: Shamil Sultanov

Publicly Available Information:

Mar 19, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2019

 

USCIRF Welcomes Release of Religious Prisoner of Conscience Abdul Shakoor

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded the release of Abdul Shakoor, an Ahmadi Muslim who had been unjustly imprisoned since December 2, 2015. Shakoor had been adopted by Commissioner Johnnie Moore as part of USCIRF’s Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.

“Last month, in Dubai at the World Government Summit, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a profound speech about his desire to reform Pakistan. He remembered a more pluralistic Pakistan of his youth, and he professed his desire to have a society that protected humanity, embraced the rule of law, and saw knowledge as a sacred duty. Recalling the golden age of Medina, he argued that these values are not at enmity with a religious and mainly Islamic society. As I tweeted then, ‘one of the best ways he can prove his reform agenda is real -taking the country back to the era he fondly describes is ... Promote Tolerance, Embrace Religious Freedom, and Guard Minorities.’ Abdul Shakoor’s release comes as welcome news to those of us who have been engaging with Pakistan’s government and civil society on issues related to religious freedom and peaceful coexistence between religious communities. We hope and pray this once again becomes the trend in Pakistani society, and no longer the exception.” 

Pakistan’s Ahmadiyya community has faced growing discrimination and persecution by authorities and society in recent decades. On December 2, 2015, officials from Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department raided Mr. Shakoor’s bookstore and arrested him. Authorities accused Mr. Shakoor of selling Ahmadiyya literature, which is illegal in Pakistan. He was subsequently sentenced to a total of eight years in prison. Mr. Shakoor, 83, had filed numerous appeals to his sentence before being released earlier this week.

 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.

 

 

Mar 15, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2019
 

USCIRF Statement on New Zealand Mosque Attacks
 

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks on Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Chair Tenzin Dorjee said:

“We express our deepest condolences to those affected by this horrific act of violence that killed 49 Muslim worshippers and injured dozens more,” said Dorjee. “This terrorist attack is all the more heinous because it targeted places of worship during Friday prayers, an important time and practice for Muslim families. At this time of sadness as we mourn the senseless loss of life, we urge all nations to commit to defend and protect freedom of religion and belief, particularly freedom to worship without fear of putting one’s life at risk.”

 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.

 

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