Jumanazar Hojambetow

Additional Name(s): Jumanazar Yuldashowich Hojambetow

Gender: Male

Current Location: BL-E/6, Balkan Region

Perpetrator: Turkmenistan

Ethnic Group: Uzbek

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Sentencing: August/15/2017

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 Praying Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Hate Speech Illicit Financing

Jumanazar Hojambetow

Extra Bio Info:

Jumanazar Hojambetow is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

In early summer 2017, authorities arrested Hojambetow and four others for meeting to pray and study the writings of Said Nursi, a Turkish Islamic scholar.

In August 2017, the Balkan Regional Court in Balkanabat sentenced Hojambetow to 12 years’ imprisonment for “inciting social, national, ethnic, racial or religious hostility,” “participating in an organized criminal group,” and “financing of criminal structures” (Arts. 177-3, 275-2, 275.1-2 TCC). In July 2018, the Supreme Court in Ashgabat upheld Hojambetow’s sentence.