Additional Name(s): Raim Aivazov, Айвазов Раим Халилович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 17 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: April/17/2019

Date of Sentencing: March/10/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Raim Ayvazov

Extra Bio Info:

Raim Ayvazov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On April 17, 2019, authorities detained Ayvazov, an activist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, at a border crossing between Kherson and Crimea. According to Ayvazov's lawyer, he was tortured. He was charged with “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).

In August 2020, prosecutors change one of his charges from “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) to "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) after he retracted a confession he was coerced into making. According to Ayvazov, officials subjected him to a fake execution by firing shots by his head and threatening to kill him. 

On March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Ayvazov to 17 years in prison.

On March 28, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Ayvazov's sentence.

Ayvazov is married with one child.

Related Cases: Remzi Bakirov, Riza Izetov, Farkhod Bazarov, Shaban Umerov

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