Extra Bio Info:

Bui Van Tham was imprisoned for his religious identity and activity.

On June 26, 2017, authorities arrested Tham following a state crackdown on a Hoa Hao Buddhist event in April 2017.  He was charged with "causing public disorder" (Art. 245/1999 VCC) and "hampering government officials who were carrying out their assignments” (Art. 257/1999 VCC).

On February 9, 2018, Tham was sentenced to six years in prison.

On May 24, 2018, Tham's appeal was denied.

On June 26, 2023, Tham was released following the end of his sentence.

Tham was previously arrested in July 2012 and served two years and six months in prison.

Related Cases: Bui Van Trung, Bui Thi Bich Tuyen, Nguyen Hoang Nam, Le Thi Hong Hanh

Extra Bio Info:

Bui Van Trung was imprisoned for his religious identity and activity.

On June 26, 2017, authorities arrested Trung following a state crackdown on a Hoa Hao Buddhist event in April 2017.  He was charged with "causing public disorder" (Art. 245/1999 VCC).

On February 9, 2018, Trung was sentenced to six years in prison.  

On May 24, 2018, Trung's appeal was denied.

On June 26, 2023, Trung was released following the end of his sentence.

There are reports that mistreatment from prison guards has led to Trung having chronic pain in his eyes and head.

Trung was previously arrested in October 2012 and served four years in prison.

Trung has a wife and at least two children.

Related Cases: Bui Van Tham, Bui Thi Bich Tuyen, Nguyen Hoang Nam, Le Thi Hong Hanh

Extra Bio Info:

Ruhiddin Fahriddinov was imprisoned for his religious activity.

In November 2005, Kazakh authorities detained and deported Fahriddinov, a scholar and independent imam, to Uzbekistan. Fahriddinov fled to Kazakhstan from Uzbekistan in 1998 following a crackdown on independent imams. Fahriddinov was reportedly tortured in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan while detained. Uzbek authorities accused Fahriddinov recruiting and sending young people to terrorist training camps outside the country and for managing the finances of extremist religious sects and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

There are conflicting reports about the court involved in Fahriddinov's case, charges, and date of sentencing. Forum 18 reports that the the Tashkent City Criminal Court on September 15, 2006, sentenced Fahrutdinov to 17 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order” (Art. 159 UCC), “illegal formation of public associations or religious organizations” (Art. 216 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). Human Rights Watch reports that the Chirchik Criminal Court in Tashkent on September 15, 2007, sentenced him to 17 years in prison on ten counts, which were not specified. Human Rights Watch reported that Fahriddinov had been originally charged with 22 offenses, including " terrorism, sabotage, organization of illegal religious groups, activity against the constitution, and the dissemination of materials that threaten state security."

Fahriddinov was reportedly tortured while imprisoned.

Fahriddinov's health deteriorated while imprisoned. Fahriddinov was reportedly held for nine months in an isolation cell, where he contracted tuberculosis.

Fahriddinov's family, including his wife and step-daughter, have been arrested, with his wife being sentenced to prison for their connection to Fahriddinov. Fahriddinov's wife also alleged that a police officer raped the couple's 6-year old daughter.

On August 27, 2020, Fahriddinov was released from prison after he was granted amnesty.