Additional Name(s): Ernest Seytosmanov, Эрнеса Сейтосманова
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 17 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 18 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: February/9/2022
Date of Sentencing: May/24/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Ernes Seytosmanov
Extra Bio Info:
Ernes Seytosmanov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.
On February 9, 2022, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several individuals, including Seytosmanov, after searching their homes. Investigators accused Osmanov of leading a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, possessing specific religious literature, discussing religion, and recruiting members to the organization. He was charged with "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 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 May 24, 2023, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Seytosmanov to 18 years in prison.
On November 1, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal reduced Seytosmanov's sentence by six months in prison to 17 years and six months in prison on charges of “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).
Related Cases: Marlen Mustafayev, Ametkhan Abdulvapov, Ansar Osmanov
Publicly Available Information:
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"Court in Russia reduces charge against Crimean Tatar political prisoner but retains appalling sentence" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
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USCIRF Issue Update: Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine July 2023
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"Another Crimean Tatar Activist Gets Lengthy Prison Term in Russia On Terrorism Charges" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
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"Crimean Tatar activist sentenced to 18 years for discussing religion and Russian repression" Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG)
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2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Russia-Occupied Territories of Ukraine U.S. Department of State
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"Four Crimean Tatars Detained After Their Homes Searched" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Additional Name(s): Mohamaddi Rahmatullo, Mohammadi Rahmatullah, Муҳаммадӣ Раҳматуллоҳ, Муҳаррамов Муҳаммад Раҳматуллоевич
Gender: Male
Current Location: Strict Regime Prison No. 3/1, Vahdat District
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Health Concerns: Swollen legs
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/2/2022
Date of Sentencing: March/23/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Instruction & Teaching Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Mukhammadi Mukharramov
Extra Bio Info:
Mukhammadi Mukharramov is imprisoned for his religious activity and leadership role.
In 2016, authorities arrested Mukharramov, an imam, and accused him of teaching Salafism, a banned school of Islamic thought. Authorities sentenced him to 8 years' imprisonment and banned him from teaching Islam privately, an activity reserved only for State-appointed imams. In 2021, he was released under amnesty.
In November 2022, police arrested Mukharramov for teaching Islam privately to a group of twelve Muslim men. In March 2023, the Ismoili Somoni District Criminal Court sentenced Mukharramov to 8 years' imprisonment for "organization of an extremist association" (Art. 307-2 TCC) and sentenced the other men to between 7 and 10 years' imprisonment on similar charges. Authorities confined Mukharramov at the Strict Regime Prison No. 3/1 in the Vahdat District.
During his detainment, Mukharramov's swollen leg condition worsened, causing his legs to stop working.
Publicly Available Information:
- USCIRF Annual Report 2024: Tajikistan
- "TAJIKISTAN: Jail sentence, fines for studying Islam" Forum 18
- "Ба масҷид намерафт, дар хона буд." Боздошти дубораи Муҳаммадӣ Раҳматулло. ВИДЕО" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
- "Наздиконаш гуфтанд, 'пойи Муҳаммадӣ Раҳматуллоҳ аз ҳаракат мондааст'" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Sri Lanka
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May/27/2023
Date of Release: July/6/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Expression about Religion Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Nathasha Edirisooriya
Extra Bio Info:
Nathasha Edirisooriya was detained for blasphemy.
On May 27, 2023, police arrested and detained Edirisooriya after receiving a complaint that she made jokes insulting to Buddhism and Christianity during a stand-up comedy show.
On May 28, 2023, authorities charged Edirisooriya with "uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings" (Sec. 291A SLPC), "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 291B SPLC), and "propagating war and advocating national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" (Sec. 3 Sri Lankan ICCPR Act, No. 56 2007).
On July 5, 2023, the Colombo High Court granted Edirisooriya bail.
On July 6, 2023, Edirisooriya was released on bail.