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 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.
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 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
Additional Name(s): Месутов Руслан Аметович
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: 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
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Ruslan Mesutov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.
On June 10, 2019, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, arrested Mesutov 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 Mesutov 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 Mesutov's sentence.
In April 2023, it was reported that prison authorities had confiscated Mesutov's Qur'an in November 2022 and had yet to return it to him.
Related Cases: Ruslan Nahaev, Eldar Kantemirov, Lenur Khalilov