Extra Bio Info:

Mohammad bin Hassan al-Habib is imprisoned for his religious expression, leadership role, and religious freedom advocacy.

In July 2016, authorities detained al-Habib, a Shi'a cleric, as he tried to cross the Khafji Border Crossing into Kuwait. Authorities placed him in solitary confinement in Mabahith Prison in Dammam, held him incommunicado for four months, and denied him access to a lawyer. They charged him with violating a pledge he was forced to sign in 2012, which prohibited him from delivering sermons the government deemed objectionable—such as condemning religious hatred toward Shi'a Muslims and calling on the government to end sectarianism.

In July 2017, the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment for "sectarianism" and "calling people to sedition" under Royal Decree No. 44. In April 2018, authorities charged al-Habib with additional crimes, including “endeavoring to shake the societal fabric and national unity by supporting protests inciting riots in Al-Qatif Governorate,” “attempting to leave Saudi Arabia for Kuwait irregularly,” and “violating the Anti-Cybercrime Law.” One charge stemmed from a photograph of an executed Shi'a cleric found on an electronic device seized during a police raid of al-Habib's home in July 2016. In August 2019, authorities at the Specialized Criminal Court increased his sentence to 12 years' imprisonment, followed by a five-year travel ban for violating Article 6 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

Authorities tortured al-Habib in detention. They also mistreated him by repeatedly placing him in solitary confinement and denying him proper medical care, which has exacerbated his neurological and kidney ailments and put him at a severe risk of stroke.

Extra Bio Info:

Renat Suleimanov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On October 2, 2017, authorities arrested Suleimanov following a raid on his home in Molodezhnoe, Crimea.  Authorities reportedly seized his computer and religious literature. Suleimanov and his colleagues often gathered at his mosque to discuss religious questions.

On January 22, 2019, the Supreme Court of Crimea sentenced Suleimanov to four years in prison for “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). Prosecutors alleged that he was a leader of the Tabligh Jamaat movement.

In January 2020, Suleimanov was transferred to a closed zone with strict detention conditions inside Kamenka Labour Camp in the Kabardino-Balkariya Republic.

On December 24, 2020, Suleimanov was reportedly released.

Suleimanov is married with three children.

Extra Bio Info:

Komil Odilov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

In December 2015, authorities arrested Odilov, an imam, alongside several others in cafe in Novosibirsk.  While those arrested with Odilov were released a day later, he remained in pretrial detention for nine months.  It is reported that prison conditions were harsh.

In January 2016, Odilov was included on the Rosfinmonitoring's terrorist list and his assets were frozen.

In September 2016, Odilov was released and allowed to travel home under restrictions.

On June 29, 2018, Odilov was sentenced to two years in a general-regime labor camp for “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).  Odilov was taken into state custody following the verdict. 

On March 25, 2019, Odilov was released.