Bahram Saparov

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 activity.

In March 2013, authorities arrested Saparov after he was accused of being "Wahhabi" and promoting radicalism. Since 2007, Saparov had led home study groups to teach Hanafi Sunni Islam, the accepted school of Islamic thought in Turkmenistan, but was labeled a "Wahhabi" extremist after organizing a conservative wedding without alcohol or intermixing of genders. Members of the Ministry of National Security harassed and repeatedly summoned members of Saparov's group to interrogate them about the contents of their studies. Authorities also arrested that same day twenty other Muslims who were members of Saparov’s community.

In May 2013, Lebap Regional Court in Turkmenabad sentenced Saparov to 15 years' imprisonment for “participating in an organized criminal group” (Art. 275-2 TCC), “inciting social, national, ethnic, racial or religious hostility” (Art. 177-3 TCC), and "conspiracy to seize power" (Art. 174-1 TCC), among others. In July 2014 and June 2016, court authorities sentenced him to two additional 15-year prison sentences on similar charges.

During detention, prison guards beat Saparov and disfigured his face.

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