Additional Name(s): Muhammad al-Ghamdi, محمد بن ناصر الغامدي

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Health Concerns: Mental Health Issues

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: June/11/2022

Date of Sentencing: July/10/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Insulting Public Officials & Institutions Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Terrorism

Mohammed al-Ghamdi

Extra Bio Info:

Mohammed al-Ghamdi is imprisoned and sentenced to death for expressing support for religious prisoners of conscience. 

On June 11, 2022, security forces in Mecca arrested al-Ghamdi outside his home. He was subsequently placed him in solitary confinement for four months in al-Dhahban Prison near Jeddah and was prohibited from contacting his family and accessing a lawyer.  

On July 10, 2023, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Ghamdi to death for “describing the King or the Crown Prince in a way that undermines religion or justice" (Art. 30 Counterterrorism Law), "supporting a terrorist ideology" (Art. 34 Counterterrorism Law), “communication with a terrorist entity” (Art. 43 Counterterrorism Law), and publishing false news “with the intention of executing a terrorist crime” (Art. 44 Counterterrorism Law). According to his trial judgement, al-Ghamdi had been accused of criticizing the government and calling for the release of imprisoned religious prisoners of conscience such as Salman al-Ouda and Ali al-Omari on Twitter, despite having less than 10 followers. Al-Ghamdi's brother, Saeed al-Ghamdi, is a religious scholar and a well-known dissident who received asylum in the United Kingdom following Saudi Arabia's 2017 crackdown on scholars, intellectuals, and activists. Saeed al-Ghamdi is also head of the SANAD Rights Foundation, which documents human rights abuses, including against religious prisoners of conscience, in Saudi Arabia and has argued Mohammed al-Ghamdi's sentencing is an attempt to stop his work.

On September 15, 2023, several UN experts called for al-Ghamdi's release.

Al-Ghamdi's health has reportedly deteriorated since his arrest. Authorities have reportedly refused to give him some of his prescription medications meant to treat his mental health issues.

Related Cases: Salman al-OudaAli al-Omari

Additional Name(s): Крош Энвер Умерович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/11/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

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

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Enver Krosh

Extra Bio Info:

Enver Krosh is detained for his alleged religious activity.

On August 11, 2022, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several Crimean Tatars, including Krosh, after searching their homes. Investigators accused them of organizing and participating in a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, possessing religious literature, and talking about religious topics and Russia's persecution of Muslims. Krosh 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).

Related Cases: Vilen TemerianovEdem BekirovRinat AlievSeitiaha Abbozov

Additional Name(s): Темерьянов Вилен Фаридович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Date of Detainment: August/11/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Distributing Religious Materials Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Vilen Temerianov

Extra Bio Info:

Vilen Temerianov is detained for his alleged religious activity.

On August 11, 2022, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several Crimean Tatars, including Temerianov, after searching their homes. Investigators accused them of organizing and participating in a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, possessing religious literature, and talking about religious topics and Russia's persecution of Muslims. Temerianov was charged with “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).

Temerianov's health has reportedly deteriorated while detained.

Related Cases: Enver KroshEdem BekirovRinat AlievSeitiaha Abbozov