Additional Name(s): Server Zekiryaev, Зекирьяев Сервер Зекиевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 13 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/11/2017

Date of Sentencing: September/16/2020

Current Status: Not Released

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

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Server Zekiryayev

Extra Bio Info:

Server Zekiryayev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On October 11, 2017, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several Crimean Tatar activists, including Zekiryayev, after accusing them of being involved in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, holding meetings and classes, and spreading the organizations ideology.

On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Zekiryayev to 13 years in prison 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 March 14, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Zekiryayev's sentence.

In March 2024, it was reported that Zekiryayev's health had deteriorated and that he was living in inhumane conditions. It was also reported that Zekiryayev had religious literature, including a Qur'an, confiscated from him upon arriving to the penal colony.

Zekiryayev is married with reportedly 13 children.

Related Cases: Marlen Asanov, Timur Ibragimov, Memet Belyalov, Server Mustafayev, Seyran Saliyev, Edem Smailov, Ernes Ametov, Oleg Fedorov, Ernest Ibragimov

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