Rustem Abiltarov

Additional Name(s): Rustem Seiranovich Abiltarov, Абильтаров Рустем Сейранович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 8 Years, 9 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 9 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/12/2016

Date of Sentencing: July/11/2019

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 Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Rustem Abiltarov

Extra Bio Info:

Rustem Abiltarov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On May 12, 2016, authorities arrested Abiltarov after accusing him of being a member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Abiltarov and his colleagues reportedly met together, read the organization's literature, and discussed religious, political, and philosophical issues, all of which are ordinary religious activities.

On December 24, 2018, the North Caucasus District Military Court sentenced Abiltarov to nine years in prison and one year of restricted freedom for “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).

On July 11, 2019, the Supreme Court of Russia reduced Abiltarov's sentence by three months, making it eight years and nine months in prison.

Abiltarov is married with four children.

Related Cases: Enver Mamutov, Zevri Abseitov, Remzi Memetov

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