Additional Name(s): Server Gaziyev, Servet Abduraimovich Gaziyev, Газиев Сервет Абдураимович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Health Concerns: Chronic cholecystitis, minor stroke

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 13 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/27/2019

Date of Sentencing: January/11/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Servet Gaziyev

Extra Bio Info:

Servet Gaziyev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity. 

On March 27, 2019, authorities arrested Gaziyev, an activist for the Crimean Solidarity movement, after officers raided his home in Simferopol, Crimea, and accused him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. He was subsequently transferred to mainland Russia and 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).

Gaziyev's health has deteriorated greatly while in prison and has been denied proper medical care. In May 2021, Gaziyev's trial was delayed due to his health.  He was reportedly unable to stand in court due to pain. Gaziyev reportedly suffers from chronic cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), causing him to experience abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. In June 2021, it was reported that Gaziyev suffered a minor stroke.

In September 2021, it was reported that Gaziyev was beaten by prison staff and had his beard forcibly shaven after he was transferred to a psychiatric ward of the prison's hospital. 

On January 11, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Gaziyev to 13 years in prison.

On September 11, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Gaziyev's sentence.

Gaziyev is married with two children.

Related Cases: Erfan Osmanov, Seiran Murtaza, Alim Karimov, Dzhemil Gafarov

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Ramil Irshatovich Gataullin, Гатауллин Рамиль Иршатович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March//2016

Date of Sentencing: January/19/2018

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism

Ramil Gataullin

Extra Bio Info:

Ramil Gataullin was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

In March 2016, authorities arrested Gataullin after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Prosecutors accused him of participating in Hizb ut-Tahrir meetings, studying the organization's literature, and seeking to attract new members for the organization.

On January 19, 2018, the Volga District Military Court sentenced Gataullin to seven years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC).

On an unspecified date, Gataullin was reportedly released from prison at the end of his sentence.

Related Cases: Ilshat Battalov, Amir Khakimullin, Marat Dindarov, Ibrahim Shavkatov

Publicly Available Information:

Feb 5, 2021

USCIRF Welcomes Announcement that Refugee Ceiling will Increase Next Fiscal Year

Encourages Prioritization of the Most Vulnerable

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauded President Joseph R. Biden for announcing his intent to raise the numerical ceiling to 125,000 for refugees accepted from abroad through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for the next Fiscal Year, which starts on October 1, 2021. The International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) requires that religious persecution should be considered in determining the refugee ceiling.

USCIRF also welcomed the Executive Order on Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs to Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration signed yesterday, which will position the Administration to be able to raise the ceiling.

“Unprecedented numbers of individuals worldwide are forcibly displaced by conflict or persecution, including based on their religion or belief. USCIRF is encouraged that the Biden Administration is taking steps to ensure that the United States can be a safe haven to those targeted for their faith by restoring a robust resettlement program,” said USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin. We hope to see the Administration prioritize the most vulnerable refugees, such as members of severely persecuted religious communities, those targeted for having no faith, and survivors of genocide or other atrocity crimes.”

Since the USRAP began in 1980, the maximum for refugees accepted into the United States has averaged 95,000 per year. The refugee ceiling for the current fiscal year is 15,000.

“The U.S. refugee resettlement program is a vital lifeline for those fleeing religious persecution,” said USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza. “However, only a small number of the world’s almost 80 million refugees and internally displaced persons will ultimately be resettled in a third country. We also call on the U.S. government to continue to support humanitarian efforts to aid those who are displaced and enable them to safely and voluntarily return home where possible.”

USCIRF recommended in its 2020 Annual Report that the U.S. government return the annual ceiling for the USRAP to the previously-typical 95,000. USCIRF will be holding a virtual hearing on Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution on Wednesday, February 10th at 10:30 AM ET.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

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