Additional Name(s): Adela Elizabeth Espinoza Tercero

Gender: Female

Current Location: La Esperanza prison, Tipitapa, Nicaragua

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Date of Detainment: August/19/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition

Adela Tercero

Extra Bio Info:

Adela Tercero is detained in relation to a crackdown on religious institutions.

On August 19, 2023, police detained Tercero, who was a student leader at the Jesuit Central American University (UCA) in Managua. Tercero's detention occurred amidst a crackdown on Catholic institutions in Nicaragua, including the government arbitrarily cancelling UCA's legal status and confiscating its property. 

In October 2023, it was reported that Tercero had been charged with spreading false news and undermining national integrity and had been denied access to a lawyer in the first two legal proceedings of her trial. It was subsequently reported that Tercero had also been charged with possession of marijuana.

In November 2023, Tercero was found guilty of drug trafficking and not guilty of spreading false news and undermining national integrity.

Related case: Gabriela Morales

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