Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Turkmenistan
Ethnic Group: Turkmen
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: July/15/2019
Date of Release: May/8/2021
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service
Bahtiyar Atahanov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
On July 15, 2019, Atahanov was sentenced to four years in a labor camp for "refusing to perform the duties of military service by simulating illness or other means with the aim of complete freeing from performing the duties of military service" (Art. 344-2 TCC). The date and circumstances of his arrest were unspecified.
On August 20, 2019, Atahanov's appeal was denied.
On May 8, 2021, Atahanov was released from prison following a presidential pardon.