Additional Name(s): Emir-Usein Kemalovich Kuku, Куку Эмир-Усеин Кемалович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/11/2016

Date of Sentencing: November/12/2019

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Emir-Usein Kuku

Extra Bio Info:

Emir-Usein Kuku is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On February 11, 2016, authorities arrested Kuku, a member of the Crimean Human Rights Contact Group, following a raid on his home. Kuku was accused of being a member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization.  He and his colleagues allegedly held meetings where they studied the organization's literature and ideology and discussed political and social issues.

On November 12, 2019, Kuku was sentenced to 12 years in prison and one year of restricted freedom for “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). Kuku was tried alongside five other defendants, all Crimean Tatar Muslims, many of whom were prominently involved in political opposition to the occupation and human rights advocacy.

On June 25, 2020, Kuku's sentence was upheld.

On June 21, 2023, Kuku was hospitalized due to pain in his kidneys. Reports indicate his chronic kidney problems were not properly treated while in prison. 

On June 23, 2023, Kuku underwent emergency surgery. 

Kuku is married with two children.

Prior to his most recent arrest, officers with the Russian security services violently beat and abducted Kuku in 2015. This incident resulted in Kuku developing kidney issues. 

Related Cases: Inver Bekirov, Vadim Siruk, Arsen Dzhepparov, Refat Alimov, Muslim Aliyev

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