Additional Name(s): Галимов Илфат Миратович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/26/2019

Date of Sentencing: May/27/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Distributing Religious Materials Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism

Ilfat Galimov

Extra Bio Info:

Ilfat Galimov is imprisoned for his religious activity. 

On or around November 26, 2019, authorities in the Chelyabinsk region detained Galimov after accusing him of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, spreading its ideology, discussing religious issues, possessing religious materials, and persuading others to join the organization.

On May 27, 2021, the Central District Military Court sentenced Galimov to 12 years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and "inciting others to commit crimes envisioned under Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code" (Art. 205.1-1 RCC). 

On October 27, 2021, the Military Court of Appeal upheld Galimov's sentence.

On July 21, 2022, the Supreme Court upheld Galimov's sentence.

Related Cases: Rustam Khalikov

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Additional Name(s): Журавель Никита Сергеевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Reports of Torture: Yes

Sentence: 3 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/20/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Other) Blasphemy (Religious Texts) Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Criminal Premeditation & Conspiracy Public Disorder

Nikita Zhuravel

Extra Bio Info:

Nikita Zhuravel is imprisoned for blasphemy.

On May 20, 2023, authorities in the Volgograd region arrested 19-year-old Zhuravel after he allegedly posted a video online of himself burning a Qur’an with a mosque in the background and uttering words mocking Muslims. Authorities said Zhuravel had confessed to burning the Qur’an at the behest of Ukrainian security services. He was charged with "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers...committed in places specially designated for holding divine services, other religious rites and ceremonies" (Art. 148-2 RCC). Zhuravel was later transferred to a pre-trial detention in Chechnya, where his case would be prosecuted, despite concerns for his safety and violating law.

In August 2023, Adam Kadyrov, the son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, beat up Zhuravel in prison.

On September 25, 2023, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video of his son Adam Kadyrov assaulting Zhuravel in prison, calling what his son did the "right thing" to do.

On October 4, 2023, it was reported that Zhuravel had also been charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC) in addition to insulting religious feelings (Art. 148-2 RCC).

On October 12, 2023, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video of him meeting with Zhuravel, in which Zhuravel tells Kadyrov of his desire to study Islam and possibly convert. 

On February 27, 2024, the Visaitovsky District Court in Grozny sentenced Zhuravel to three years and six months in prison for  "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers...committed in places specially designated for holding divine services, other religious rites and ceremonies" (Art. 148-2 RCC) and hooliganism committed by an organized group by prior conspiracy based on religious hatred and enmity (Art. 213-2 RCC). Reports indicate he was also sentenced to 300 hours of community service.

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Sep 5, 2023

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Vietnam

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Vietnam Country Update – This report highlights religious freedom conditions in Vietnam following a USCIRF delegation visit to the country in May 2023. While acknowledging the deepening partnership between Vietnam and the United States, as well as the incremental progress Vietnam made over the last decade on religious freedom, this report describes the country’s persistent—and apparently worsening—egregious, ongoing, and systematic violations. These violations are especially prevalent in rural and provincial levels and present the most challenges to ethnic and religious minority communities. This publication updates USCIRF’s reporting on the haphazard implementation of the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion as well as continued issues in its enforcement.

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State designate Vietnam a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). In November 2022, the U.S. Department of State placed Vietnam on its Special Watch List (SWL), the first such designation since 2005 when it was last named a CPC.

USCIRF will be holding a virtual hearing this week on religious freedom in Vietnam and how the U.S. government can work with the Vietnamese government to address violations.

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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 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].

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