Additional Name(s): Annamurad Atdayev, Атдаев Аннамурад Нурмухаммедович, Atdaýew Annamyrat Nurmuhammedowiç
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group: Turkmen
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/27/2016
Date of Sentencing: December/13/2016
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief Travel Abroad
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Hate Speech Treason & Sedition
Annamurad Atdaev is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
In September 2016, authorities arrested Atdaev when he returned to Turkmenistan from Egypt, where he had been studying Islam at al-Azhar University, and charged him with "hooliganism."
In December 2016, the Ashgabad City Court sentenced Atdaev to 15 years’ imprisonment for “conspiracy to seize power,” “calls to violent change of the constitutional order,” “inciting social, ethnic or religious hatred,” and “creating an organized criminal group” (Arts. 174-1, 175-2, 177-1, 275-1 TCC). Authorities denied him legal counsel during legal proceedings.
During his detention, authorities denied him access to legal counsel and held him incommunicado. In January 2017, authorities took Atdaev to an unknown location and refused to disclose his status or whereabouts.