Additional Name(s): Bakhram Saparov, Bahram Jumanazarowich Saparow

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Turkmenistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/9/2013

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Instruction & Teaching

Nature of Charges: Arms Trafficking & Illicit Use of Weapons Banned Organization Hate Speech Theft & Robbery Treason & Sedition

Bahram Saparov

Extra Bio Info:

Bahram Saparov is imprisoned for his religious activities.

On March 9, 2013, authorities arrested Saparov for leading an unregistered Muslim community. Since 2007, Saparov organized meetings in homes to study and learn about Hanafi Sunni Islam. Authorities also arrested that same day twenty other Muslims who were members of Saparov’s community.

On May 22, 2013, the Lebap Regional Court in Turkmenabad convicted Saparov reportedly for "conspiracy to seize power" (Art. 174-1 TCC), "calls to violent change of the constitutional order" (Art. 175-2 TCC), “inciting social, national, ethnic, racial or religious hostility” (Art. 177-3 TCC), "creating an organized criminal group" (Art. 275-1 TCC), “participating in an organized criminal group” (Art. 275-2 TCC), and “theft or extortion of firearms, its accessories, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices” (Art. 291 TCC). Saparov was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On July 4, 2014, Saparov was reportedly convicted of theft (Art. 227-4 TCC) and “participating in an organized criminal group” (Art. 275-2 TCC). Saparov was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On June 7, 2016, Saparov was reportedly convicted of theft (Art. 227-2 TCC) and robbery (Art. 231-2). Saparov was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Saparov’s sentences were combined ending at the completion of the latest sentence.

In September 2016, a source who had last seen Saparov in late 2014 told Forum 18 that prison officers had beaten Saparov so badly that his face was unrecognizable.

In November 2016, the government submitted to the UN Committee against Torture in Geneva that Saparov was serving his sentence in Ovadan-Depe Prison.

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