Khayrullo Tursunov

Extra Bio Info:

Khayrullo Tursunov is imprisoned for his religious activity. 

In March 2013, Kazakh authorities extradited Tursunov to Uzbekistan after previously fleeing Uzbekistan reportedly because Tursunov met with other Muslims to study the Qur'an and pray without state permission. Authorities reportedly charged Tursunov with “preparation or distribution of materials containing a threat to public security or public order” (Art. 244-1 UCC), "conversion of believers belonging to certain religion to other religions (proselytism) and other missionary activities" (Art. 216-2 (b) UCC), terrorism (Art. 155-1 UCC), "incitement ethnic, racial or religious hatred with previous planning or by a group of individuals" (Art. 156-3(e) UCC), “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order by an organized group or in its interests” (Art. 159-3 (b) UCC), and "illegal exit from or entry into Uzbekistan" (Art. 223-2 UCC). 

In June 2013, Tursunov was sentenced to 16 years in prison. 

Tursunov was reportedly tortured on several occasions and was denied the right to read Qur'an or pray namaz in prison. 

On June 16, 2021, Tursunov was released from prison under unclear circumstances. 

On June 16, 2024, authorities arrested around 100 Muslims, along with Tursunov, on unclear charges and held Tursunov in a secret police prison.  

On June 18, 2024, police arrested Tursunov and other Muslims he was associated with after some of their group had attended a meal at the home of a state employee on that day. Reportedly, the employee regularly arranges meetings for Muslims during which he encourages attendees to make illegal statements while secretly recording them. During the arrest, police were dressed in military camouflage, carried machine guns, and used violence. The Kashkadarya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Department charged Tursunov with "creating, leading, or participating in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2.1 UCC). While detained, police authorities beat Tursunov, damaging his internal organs and his eardrums, impacting his hearing.

On December 18, 2024, the Karshi Criminal Court sentenced Tursunov to eight years in a strict regime prison.