Additional Name(s): Ilgar Vagif-ogly Aliyev, Ilkham Vagif ogly Aliyev
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/20/2017
Date of Sentencing: May/28/2018
Date of Release: November/22/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Ilgar Aliyev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On April 19/20, 2017, armed forces arrested Aliyev in Izberbash, accusing Aliyev of holding classes for groups of Muslims to read and discuss religious texts, including the writings of theologian Said Nursi. Authorities furthermore accused Aliyev of being a member of the banned group "Nurdzhular."
On May 28, 2018, Izberbash City Court sentenced Aliyev to eight years in prison and two years of restricted freedom for "organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC) and “recruiting…a person in the activities of an extremist organization” (Art. 282.2-1.1 RCC).
On July 25, 2018, the Supreme Court of Dagestan upheld Aliyev's sentence.
On August 30, 2018, Aliyev was included on the Rosfinmonitoring's terrorist list.
On November 22, 2022, the Fifth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction reduced Aliyev's sentence by two years. Following the verdict, Aliyev was released from prison.
In December 2022, it was learned that Aliyev had been stripped of his Russian citizenship and was waiting in a holding facility to be deported to Azerbaijan.
In February 2023, Aliyev reportedly left the detention center for Azerbaijan. It is unclear if Aliyev still retains his Russian citizenship.
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