Additional Name(s): Yashar Shikhametov, Яшара Шихаметова, Шихаметов Яшар Рустемович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 11 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/17/2021

Date of Sentencing: September/9/2022

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 Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association

Yashar Shykhametov

Extra Bio Info:

Yashar Shykhametov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On February 17, 2021, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained Shykhametov among others after searching their homes. Authorities accused Shykhametov of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization and spreading its ideas.

On September 9, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Shykhametov to 11 years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC).

Shykhametov reportedly suffers from chronic hypertension and various health problems with his heart, stomach, back, and liver.

Related Cases: Ernest Ibragimov, Oleg Fedorov

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Additional Name(s): Pavel Alekseyevich Kazadaev,

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Increased to 3 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 3 Years' Suspended Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/18/2023

Date of Sentencing: August/18/2023

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 Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Pavel Kazadaev

Extra Bio Info:

Pavel Kazadaev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On May 26, 2023, the Industrial District Court of Barnaul imposed a three-year suspended sentence on Kazadaev for “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). Prosecutors had accused Kazadaev of participating in Jehovah's Witness religious activities. 

On August 18, 2023, the Altai Regional Court overturned Kazadaev's previous sentence and replaced it with three years in prison. Kazadaev was taken into custody following the verdict.

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Additional Name(s): Халилов Ленур Абдураманович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 18 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/10/2019

Date of Sentencing: August/16/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Lenur Khalilov

Extra Bio Info:

Lenur Khalilov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity. 

On June 10, 2019, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, arrested Khalilov, an imam, among others after accusing them of being involved in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, discussing Islam, and sharing their views with others.

On August 16, 2021, the Southern Military District Court sentenced Khalilov to 18 years in prison for "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).

On August 4, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha, Moscow Region, upheld Khalilov's sentence.

Related Cases: Ruslan Nahaev, Eldar Kantemirov, Ruslan Mesutov

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