Additional Name(s): Kemal Meylismyradovich Saparov, Сапаров Кемал Мейлисмырадович, Кемал Сапаров, Saparow Kemal Meýlismyradowiç

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Turkmenistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: January/25/2018

Date of Sentencing: April/27/2018

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 Religious Activity Travel Abroad Unregistered Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Hate Speech Public Disorder Treason & Sedition

Kemal Saparov

Extra Bio Info:

Kemal Saparov is imprisoned for his religious activity.

On January 25, 2018, authorities in Ashgabat detained Saparov–a student studying in St. Petersburg, Russia–under administrative arrest for disorderly conduct.

On February 10, 2018, authorities criminally detained Saparov, accusing him of joining various Muslim religious movements not registered in Turkmenistan and engaging in anti-state activities against Turkmenistan while in St. Petersburg. His arrest, however, appears to stem from his discussions about religious and other topics with other Turkmens living in St. Petersburg.

On April 27, 2018, the Ashgabat City Court sentenced Saparov to 15 years in prison for "conspiracy to seize power" (Art. 174-1 TCC), "calls to violent change of the constitutional order" (Art. 175-2 TCC), “inciting social, national, ethnic, racial or religious hostility” (Art. 177-3 TCC), "creating an organized criminal group" (Art. 275-1 TCC), and “participating in an organized criminal group” (Art. 275-2 TCC).

On May 23, 2018, the Supreme Court upheld Saparov’s sentence.

Related Cases: Kakadjan Halbaev

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