Additional Name(s): Raja Amir Masih

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Date of Detainment: August//2023

Date of Release: March/1/2024

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Raja Amir

Extra Bio Info:

Raja Amir was detained for blasphemy.

In August 2023, police arrested Amir after rumors circulated alleging that he and his brother tore pages from a Quran and wrote derogatory comments on them. Amir was reportedly charged with "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B) and "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC).

On March 1, 2024, Amir was reportedly acquitted and released from prison.

Sources:
  • USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman, Tweet, August 22, 2023

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

Sources:

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.

Sources:
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