Dzhemil Gafarov

Additional Name(s): Jemil Gafarov, Гафаров Джемиль Абдуллаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Health Concerns: Heart, kidney issues, hypertension

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 13 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/27/2019

Date of Sentencing: January/11/2023

Date of Death: February/10/2023

Current Status: Deceased

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

Dzhemil Gafarov

Extra Bio Info:

Dzhemil Gafarov was imprisoned and died in state custody for his alleged religious activity.

On March 27, 2019, authorities arrested Gafarov, an activist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Authorities searched the homes of several activists and allegedly confiscated Hizb ut-Tahrir materials. Gafarov was 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).

On October 27, 2022, Gafarov reportedly suffered a heart attack and was not provided treatment.

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

On February 10, 2023, Gafarov died in prison after experiencing years and very recent medical neglect. On the day of Gafarov's death, his lawyer reportedly received a notice rejecting a request to send Gafarov to a hospital for examination after he experienced chest pain, difficulty breathing, and severe headaches in mid-January.

On September 11, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Gafarov's sentence, despite Gafarov dying in prison.

Gafarov was reportedly denied proper medical care while in prison. He reportedly suffered from "arteriosclerotic heart disease; post-heart attack cardiosclerosis; angina with chest pressure of classes I and II; chronic kidney insufficiency; chronic inflammation of part of the kidney (chronic interstitial nephritis); third level hypertension; primary arterial hypertension and a very high risk of fourth level cardiovascular complications."

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